Tzung-Fu Hsieh

Our latest study reveals how “force anisotropy” can boost the stability of cancer-targeting proteins! By adjusting cargo anchor points in Affibodies, we have made Affibody:PD-L1 protein complexes up to 4x more resilient to force load. 💪 This could lead to more precise and durable cancer therapies. Read more in ACS Nano! #ForceAnisotropy #CancerResearch #AuburnUniversity #ProteinScience #Immunotherapy https://lnkd.in/eQ2JJwf5

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GCPSA presents: ChatGPT workshop with Dr. Dana Choi Dr. Dana Choi is a assistant professor of Ag Engineering and Specialty Crops at the University Of Florida-Gulf Coast Research And Education Center. Dr. Choi held the ChatGPT workshop where she talked about Python coding adventures: Craft Code Like a Pro, Debug Like a Boss with AI using ChatGPT. The objective of the workshop was to empower programmers of all levels to harness the capabilities of AI in their Python coding endeavors. https://lnkd.in/e2XSuM-r

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I really like Mol* as a tool for students to use--lots of features, no software downloads or installs, and very easy to get started. If you are interested in learning more about using Mol* with students then definitely consider attending this workshop!

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New Frost lab publication focused on the effects of pathogenic tau on protein translation: https://lnkd.in/gKgJU2yf This study was led by Dr. Gabbe Zuniga, who was inspired to analyze the effects of tau on translation due to her previous discovery that error-containing RNA transcripts accumulate in tauopathy due to failed clearance via nonsense-mediated RNA decay: https://lnkd.in/dtfz7K9y In the current study, Gabbe found that the rate of translation is elevated early in disease in Drosophila models of tauopathy, and that tau-induced elevation of translation is likely neuroprotective. We’ve previously reported that polyA RNA and error-containing RNA are present within tau-induced nuclear invaginations, as well as protein encoded by error-containing RNA. Gabbe’s new study reveals that RNA is actively translated within these invaginations. Read the paper for more! Thanks to Dr. Sakie Katsumura and Dr. Masahiro Morita for (major) help with polysome profiling, as well as coauthors Jasmine De Mange, Paulino Ramirez, PhD and Dr. Farzaneh Atrian. Gabbe was an MD/PhD student in the Frost lab through our UT Health San Antonio MSTP program and is currently a Resident in the Department of Emergency Medicine.

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While we recently reviewed the ecosystem role of *sharks*; this article highlights the emerging evidence that rays are ecosystem engineers that influence bioturbation and structure of soft sediment ecosystems.

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Deep dive with us into the exciting world of stem cell research as we welcome Zongliang (Carl) Jiang, PhD, associate professor at the UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department, to #DairyDigressions! Carl and host Matthew Lucy explain the importance of bovine pregnancy success and how our understanding of the mechanisms of blastocysts—the embryo’s early stage—has been hampered by a limited supply of embryos. In a remarkable breakthrough, however, Carl and his team have developed an efficient method to assemble bovine blastoids—bovine blastocyst–like structures—via trophoblast stem cells. Although still in the early stages, this technology opens up a more accessible in vitro model for studying embryo development and helping to potentially reduce pregnancy loss and improve reproductive efficiency in tomorrow’s dairy herds. https://lnkd.in/dphwW-hf

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McGillivray lab publishes article over the mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticle toxicity. Alex Caron (BS Biology 2022; MS Biology 2024), Iman Ali (BS Biology, 2021), Michael Delgado (BS Biology, 2023) and Shauna McGillivray (Professor, Biology) in collaboration with Dustin Johnson (MS Physics 2022; current PhD student Physics), John Reeks (PhD Physics, 2021) and Yuri Strzhemechny (Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy) published a paper entitled “Zinc oxide nanoparticles mediate bacterial toxicity in Mueller-Hinton Broth via Zn2+”. The article, which appears in Frontiers in Microbiology, elucidates the mechanism underlying the antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). ZnO NPs are a promising antimicrobial therapy with broad spectrum activity including against drug-resistant pathogens. However, there has been significant controversy in the field regarding their mechanism of action. Their results indicate that the primary toxicity mechanism is the production of Zn2+ and that physical contact is not necessary for growth inhibition. This is contrary to many studies in the field that focus on the production of reactive oxygen species, primarily hydrogen peroxide, and direct interactions between ZnO NPs and bacterial cells. These findings are significant because manipulating the physical morphology and surface properties of ZnO NPs, such as introducing surface defects, should increase Zn2+ formation and could therefore increase the utility of ZnO NPs as antibacterial agents.

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Our paper on the formation of giant plagioclase crystals in lavas of the Steens Basalt was published online in GSA Bulletin today. We propose two distinct models to explain the endmember textures present in the Giant Plagioclase Basalts (GPB). Many thanks to my coauthors Conner Toth, Wendy Bohrson, Anita Grunder, and Nolan Clark!

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Check out our latest article, an invited review for The Journal of Biological Chemistry  #JBC,  #journalofbiologicalchemistry,  #kinases, #Spaceandtime University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, ASBMB Journals; Published with thanks for the hard work by two of my outstanding graduate students Jeremy Burton and Fredejah Royer. This review discusses the spatial regulation of kinases, the tools used to detect their activity, and their potential impact on human health.

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Calling biology students! Did you know you can search for a particular gene in organisms by performing a BLAST search against the Eukaryota nucleotide database? Check out how you can use other NCBI resources to help with your research projects: https://ow.ly/E1t050QpF4h

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Join a new lab as a #PlantBiology #postdoc at the University of Maryland. Investigate the molecular basis of environmental stress responses in plants. Postdoc position in plant biology in a new lab University of Maryland, College Park See the full job description on jobRxiv: https://lnkd.in/dkP3yxeA #genomics #molecular_biology #plant_biology

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Scientists test new resin to improve treatment of PFAS-contaminated water A federally funded collaborative project led by UNC Chapel Hill scientists is developing a new resin that selectively removes PFAS from water. Early lab tests look promising, but they are now testing the resin under real-world conditions at the water utility. If successful, the new resin could provide a more financially sustainable alternative to the traditional method of granular activated carbon followed by incineration. https://lnkd.in/dGSJr5xT In addition, because the resin concentrates #PFAS, it could work well with #bioremediation projects like ASPIDIA, which would be optimized by treating smaller volumes of water with higher concentrations of PFAS.

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Check out the case study on the “Evaluation of Bio-Organic Catalyst in Channel Catfish Ponds” performed by Auburn University. The study was initiated to evaluate the use of Bio-Organic Catalyst, which contains derived catalysts, surface modifying synthetic compounds, and other proprietary ingredients, in channel catfish ponds. Download Case Study: https://lnkd.in/gZMYTyhZ #biocatalyst #ponds #aquaculture

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I am excited to share our latest publication from a research journey that began in 2017, focused on dissecting the biochemical and molecular pathways regulating bloom time in peach. This work was inspired by a conversation during my first fruit school in Roanoke County, VA. A peach grower mentioned that in 2016, he lost nearly his entire crop to a late-spring frost, leaving him with only 9 fruits from 9 acres. He suggested, 'If you could find a way to delay bloom by just a few days, it would be a game-changer.' That simple idea led us down a research path I hadn’t anticipated. Fast forward seven years, do we have the silver bullet for frost avoidance? Not quite—but we’ve made significant progress. Here’s a brief overview of our journey: First, we realized the need for a deeper understanding of bud dormancy and bloom regulation. This led my associate, Dr. Jianyang (Jay) Liu, and me to write our first review on the hormonal regulation of bud dormancy in fruit trees. As we dug deeper, we found studies on using ethephon, an ethylene-releasing plant growth regulator, to delay bloom. Our next review compiled this research, identifying key gaps that needed further exploration. We then conducted trials on ethephon in peach and cherry trees, determining the best concentration and timing. While we succeeded in delaying bloom, high concentrations caused branch damage. This shifted our focus to investigating the molecular mechanisms behind bloom delay. Over the next three publications, including this recent one, we compared ethephon-treated and untreated peach trees, studying changes in plant hormones, reactive oxygen species, carbohydrates, as well as transcriptomic and metabolomic shifts. After three years of further research, we developed chemical treatments that successfully delay bloom, which are now patent-pending. We then applied this knowledge to apples, Virginia’s major fruit crop. By comparing early- and late-blooming cultivars, we identified bloom-time-related genes, leading to several more publications. While we don’t have a transformation protocol for peach, we do for apples, and are now using CRISPR technology to alter bloom time in apple germplasm. Beyond bloom delay for frost avoidance, we’re also exploring ways to enhance cold and freeze tolerance in apples—more on that in future posts! For graduate students and early-career researchers, three key takeaways from this research journey: a) Focus on areas where your work can have real-world impact. Relevance drives meaningful outcomes. b) Ask the right questions—thoroughly review the literature to identify real research gaps. c) Hypothesis-driven research is crucial. Science starts with a well-formed hypothesis, not just observations. Keep pursuing research that makes a difference! https://lnkd.in/eyJhxw7F

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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 Researchers have published a simple trick that improves the accuracy of techniques that help us understand how external variables – such as temperature – affect gene activity in plants. “There are really two contributions here,” says Colleen Doherty, corresponding author of a paper on the work and an associate professor of molecular and structural biochemistry at North Carolina State University. “First, we’re raising the visibility of a problem that many of us in the plant research community were unfamiliar with, as well as highlighting the solution. Second, we’ve demonstrated that addressing this problem can make a significant difference in our understanding of gene activity in plants.” Continue Reading Here: https://shorturl.at/gBGL4 #Science #Biology #Plants #MIDSCI 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦/Image: 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺

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