Colin Deniston
Project Title: Cryo-EM studies of the Parkinson’s Disease-associated protein LRRK2’s normal and pathological functions.
In this project I am utilizing cryo-EM and biochemical methods to address what interfaces within the LRRK2 protein are required to form its various oligomer states, such as trimers and MT-bound fibers. Using in vitro single particle methods I am answering how MT-binding by LRRK2 affects MT-based processes, and what role the different LRRK2 interfaces play in these effects. Finally, I am assessing in vivo neuronal phenotypes generated from disrupting the various interfaces and am answering whether the disruption of any interface can counteract the effects of known PD-associated mutations.
Mentors: Drs. Andres Leschziner and Samara Reck-Peterson, UC San Diego
Yanghao Zhong
Project Title: Regulation of mTORC1 signaling in subcellular compartments
This project aims to understand how mTORC1 activity is regulated in the nucleus and plasma membrane as well as to examine the cellular functions of mTORC1 in different compartments. We will combine chemical biology tool development, fluorescence imaging, biochemical interrogation and RNAseq technology to understand the regulation of specific pools of mTORC1. A computational structural biology approach will also be used to identify critical residues of mTOR and reveal new mechanisms of mTORC1 regulation by calmodulin.
Mentors: Drs. Jin Zhang and Wei Wang, UC San Diego