(522.7) MDH protein interactions and phosphorylation: Engaging students with a novel scientific theme using CUREs.

Poster Board Number: A486

Joseph Provost (University of San Diego), David Hecht (Southwestern Community College), Kathryn Huisinga (Malone University), Celeste Peterson (Suffolk University), Amy Parente (Mercyhurst University), Jessica Bell (University of San Diego), Ellis Bell (University of San Diego)

Using CUREs to integrate research into the teaching environment has significant impact on motivation and persistence of STEM students as seen from traditional undergraduate research experiences. Specifically, involvement in undergraduate research provides opportunities to think and act as scientists, bolsters feelings of belonging, and improves confidence in STEM.  THE MDH CURES Community is an NSF funded community of faculty using malate dehydrogenase (MDH) to engage students in CUREs.  One of several themes of MDH CUREs is protein-protein interactions and the impact of post-translational modification.  Here we present how several primarily undergraduate and comprehensive universities and a community college, several of which are Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), have included MDH-CS interactions in their classroom.  Interactions between cytosolic MDH and four other proteins thought to share substrate/product were explored in silico at a community college in a first-year chemistry course.  At Malone university, students used MS phosphorylation information to predict potential interactions which they explored by mutagenesis. Students at Mercyhust University have used in-silico and experimental methods to design and then test CS and MDH interactions using pull down assays. Students at Suffolk University created a novel bacterial two-hybrid model to test interactions between cytosolic and mitochondrial MDH with CS in a genetics course.  In a horizontally integrated sequence, students at University of San Diego modeled potential interactions between MDH and CS and the effects of various mutations. In a subsequent semester, students used that information to analyze the mutation’s functional impact and effect on interactions with MDH-CS using a pull-down assay.  Each project is an ongoing effort working as part of the MCC network.  Approaches and lessons learned will be shared.

Funded by NSF IUSE 1726932 and RCN 2119918