- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Radioactive contamination and transfer
- Enzyme Production and Characterization
- Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds
- Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Radioactivity and Radon Measurements
- Doctoral Education Challenges and Solutions
- Career Development and Diversity
- Microbial Metabolism and Applications
- Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research
University of Waterloo
2023
Scripps Research Institute
2022-2023
University of Alberta
2018-2022
Alberta Hospital Edmonton
2020
Health Canada
2015
Environment and Climate Change Canada
2013
Advances in the modulation of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) enable both characterization PPI networks that govern diseases and design therapeutics probes. The shallow protein surfaces dominate PPIs are challenging to target using standard methods, approaches for accessing extended backbone structures limited. Here, we incorporate a rigid, linear, diyne brace between side chains at
Abstract The prevalence of life‐threatening, drug‐resistant microbial infections has challenged researchers to consider alternatives currently available antibiotics. Teixobactin is a recently discovered “resistance‐proof” antimicrobial peptide that targets the bacterial cell wall precursor lipid II. In doing so, teixobactin exhibits potent activity against wide range Gram‐positive organisms. Herein we demonstrate and several structural analogues are capable binding II from both Gram‐negative...
Recombinant peptide production in Escherichia coli is often accomplished through cloning and expression of a fusion protein. The protein partner generally has two requirements: (a) it contains an affinity tag to assist with purification (b) can be cleaved off leave only the desired sequence behind. Common soluble partners include small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO), maltose-binding (MBP), glutathione S-transferase (GST), or intein proteins. However, heterologously expressed peptides suffer...
The hallucinogenic plant, Salvia divinorum, synthesizes neoclerodane diterpenes, such as salvinorins, salvidivins, and salvinicins, which are agonistic or antagonistic to μ- κ-opioid receptors. From S. divinorum trichomes, crotonolide G synthase (SdCS; CYP76AH39) was identified. It catalyzes the conversion of kolavenol a dihydrofuran neoclerodane, G. 18O2-feeding studies confirmed that SdCS incorporates an aerobic oxygen into G, rather than forming cation at C16 is trapped by alcohol C15....
Bacillus licheniformis SMIA-2, a thermophilic and thermostable enzyme-producing bacterium, is found to be active against several strains of Staphylococcus aureus species. Here, we report the 4.30-Mbp draft genome bioinformatic predictions supporting gene inventories for amylase, protease, cellulase, xylanase, antimicrobial compound biosynthesis.
Currently, intense interest is focused on the discovery and application of new multisubunit cage proteins spherical virus capsids to fields bionanotechnology, drug delivery, diagnostic imaging as their internal cavities can serve hosts for fluorophores or bioactive molecular cargo. Bacterioferritin unusual in ferritin protein superfamily iron-storage that it contains twelve heme cofactors homomeric. The goal present study expand capabilities ferritins by developing approaches cargo...
The University of Alberta Working for Inclusivity in Chemistry (UAWIC) group was formed 2017 to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion the Department Chemistry. With goals fostering a community amongst department members retaining diverse graduate student population, UAWIC has created initiatives addressing diversity inclusivity, professional development, promoted visibility within department. Training students how overcome systemic barriers providing platforms share experiences will help...
Here we report the draft genome sequence of Staphylococcus agnetis 4244, a strain involved in bovine mastitis, and its ability to inhibit different species antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive bacteria owing bacteriocin production.An Illumina MiSeq platform was used for sequencing. De novo assembly done using A5-miseq pipeline. Genome annotation performed by RAST server, mining bacteriocinogenic gene clusters BAGEL4 antiSMASH v.5.0 platforms. Investigation spectrum activity S. 4244 on BHI agar...
As microorganisms continue to develop resistance and survive against many different forms of antimicrobial solutions, such as antibiotics, the threat that poses grows considerably. One solution this persistent issue could be bacteriocins: ribosomally synthesized peptides are by bacteria. In study, specific lantibiotic—a subclass bacteriocin—used was lacticin 3147, which is comprised two components: A1 A2. Lacticin 3147 first purified isolated in order properly analyze its effects, show...
Stereochemistry of the antimicrobial isomer a cyclic opine was determined by synthesis using oxidative cyclisation bis-hydrazide.
Advances in the modulation of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) enable characterization PPI networks that govern disease mechanisms and guide design novel therapeutics probes. These PPIs are often characterized by complementary binding to shallow protein surfaces challenging target using standard methods for high-affinity small molecule ligand generation. Compared linear peptides, synthetically constrained epitopes provide an energetic advantage decreasing unbound-state entropy. Such...