UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1252

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Helene Tigro
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: she, her
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): ht24@fsu.edu
Position Title: Post Doc
FSU College (if applicable): Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Department of Health, Nutrition and Food Sciences
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/20856/Helene-2.png

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): Christopher Solis
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): csolis@fsu.edu
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Evaluating the impact of phosphorylation-induced conformational alterations in the α-actinin2 actin-binding domain on actin filament sliding velocity using in vitro motility assays
Project Keywords: Computational Science, Bioengineering and biomedical engineering, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Sarcomeric proteins, Recombinant proteins, Protein chemistry, Binding kinetics, Protein-protein interactions, Actin-binding proteins, post-translational m
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Computational Biology, Bioengineering and Biomedical engineering

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: {Empty}
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?: 10 hours
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
α-Actinin2, encoded by ACTN2, is a key cross-linker of F-actin and titin within cardiac Z-discs, maintaining sarcomere architecture and mechanical integrity. Phosphoproteomic studies have identified multiple phosphorylation sites—including T43, S50, S147, and T237 in the actin-binding domain (ABD)—that likely regulate its function. Mechanical stress enhances phosphorylation at these residues, particularly within the ABD CH1–CH2 interface, which we have shown in computational simulations shifts the ABD from a closed to an open, more active conformation. Phosphorylation introduces negative charges that modulate local electrostatics and destabilize the autoinhibited state. We propose that the phosphorylation-induced opening of the ABD enhances F-actin binding. This project will experimentally test how these modifications of α-actinin2 ABD affect F-actin binding, and actomyosin contractile mechanism, using in vitro motility assays. The larger aim is to define the molecular mechanisms by which phosphorylation preserves sarcomeric integrity and informs therapeutic strategies for heart disease.

Research Tasks:
Looking for an engineering student - designing PDMS well chamber (engineer/bioengineer/chem engineer. This can be done remotely, off-campus). 
The student would be designing and producing a PDMS well chamber similar to this https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4902091 that would then be used to immobilize fluorescently-labelled actin, myosin, and α-actinin-2 WT and phospho-mimetic variants, to evaluate the dragging forces of the actomyosin. This assay represents a simplified model of muscle force and motion generation. 
In addition, the engineering student will work on equation modeling for loaded in vitro motility assay. Will use MATLAB or R for modeling this equation from Geenberg et al 2011, and Plot digitizer to get generic data from Fig 3-5 from Greenberg et al 2011. PLot DIgitizer: https://plotdigitizer.com/app

Second student (has been found) - run assay on α-actinin2 full-length phospho-mutants and ABD phospho-mutants (this will be done in the lab, on campus). Actin extraction and purification from pig hearts, myosin extraction and purification from pig hearts, recombinant human α-actinin2 phospho-mimetic mutant expression and purification, gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), microscopy, statistical analysis and graph illustrating.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Good theoretical understanding of chemistry and biology. Experience with statistical software and data analysis. Skilled in critical thinking. Willing to and motivated to learn new techniques. Good mathematical skills. Punctuality and responsibility. 

Mentoring Philosophy:
As a postdoctoral researcher, I see mentorship as both a responsibility and a privilege, an opportunity to guide emerging scientists while actively contributing to their professional growth. I work side-by-side with mentees in the lab, sharing technical expertise, experimental strategies, and problem-solving approaches that I’ve refined through my own training. My goal is to help them build strong scientific foundations, think critically, and gain the confidence to design and execute independent research. I foster an inclusive, collaborative environment where questions are encouraged, mistakes are learning opportunities, and diverse perspectives strengthen our science.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://solislab.create.fsu.edu/
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-tigro-656130282 


Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2025
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=zIXymImngBhwOvtUH3c3ydIcS7XmUzpeSqbKq6xcWIU