UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #845

Submission information
Submission Number: 845
Submission ID: 14851
Submission UUID: 00a415ee-17d1-43ef-bbc2-3c92104cf8dd

Created: Sun, 08/18/2024 - 02:03 PM
Completed: Sun, 08/18/2024 - 02:03 PM
Changed: Thu, 09/19/2024 - 07:42 AM

Remote IP address: 128.186.171.48
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name Antonia Nemec
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns she/her/hers
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) antonia.nemec@med.fsu.edu
Position Title Faculty
FSU College (if applicable) Medicine
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Biomedical Sciences
Headshot (optional)
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above)
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable) Robb Tomko
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns he/him/his
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific? Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Title of the Project Dissecting proteasome biogenesis in microsporidia
Project Keywords proteasome, microsporidia, proteolysis, ATPase, drug target
Are you currently looking for research assistants? No
Number of Research Assistants Needed 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Biochemistry, Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work? Minimum of 5-10 hours per week
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work? During business hours
Overall Research Project Description Microsporidia are a family of spore-forming obligate intracellular parasites that infect most animals, including humans. Microsporidia are a pathogen of increasing health interest to humans. Although they typically only infect people with compromised immune systems, the widespread prescribing of immunosuppressants for diverse human conditions (i.e., autoimmune diseases) is resulting in a recent uptick in the number of human cases of microsporidiosis. Despite this growing threat from microsporidia, there are currently zero FDA-approved treatments for these parasites. Our group is interested in studying the highly unusual proteasome of microsporidia, as a potential drug target for treatment of microsporidiosis. The proteasome, a large, complex multi-subunit protease, is responsible for the degradation of unwanted or unneeded proteins and maintains protein homeostasis in all eukaryotic cells. The proteasome is a validated drug target and there are several FDA-approved drugs used as chemotherapies. Microsporidia have a highly divergent proteasome (m26S) and may be distinct enough that it can be targeted with a drug that would not have an appreciable effect on the human proteasome. At present, there is no high-resolution structural information of the m26S. In this project, we will begin studies into one of the three sub-complexes of the m26S, the mBase, the sub-complex that contains the ATPases that unfold the proteins as they are fed into the chamber of the proteasome for degradation. Any differences between the m26S and the human 26S can serve as potential targets for treatment of microsporidiosis.
Research Tasks Molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification; standard yeast genetic and cell work
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Any lab experience is recommended for sophomores. This would include lab courses within the undergraduate curriculum (i.e., CHM1045L, CHM1046L, etc.). Freshmen would not be expected any lab experience.
Mentoring Philosophy I believe that mentors are continually growing and adapting to their educational environment. Mentors need to be open to different situations and flexible in order to adjust to meet the needs of students. Understanding my own strengths and weaknesses and always being open to criticism and improvement is crucial to be a great mentor. l take advantage of workshops that are available and continue my own education in order to keep up to date on the literature in my field. More importantly, I believe that continuing with my education keeps my research up-to-date, exciting, and inspirational to my students. Ultimately, my goal is to provide students with the tools to succeed and push them to reach their potential.
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://med.fsu.edu/tomkoLab/research
Please add any additional information here (if applicable):
Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? No
Roundtable times and Zoom links
Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation Yes
Materials Grant Yes
UROP Poster Presentation Yes
Year 2024
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