Research Symposium

BIO

Hi! My name is Joud Kurdi, and I’m a junior at Florida State University majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-med track. I currently work as a Patient Care Assistant in the Cardiac Care Unit at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, and I also serve as a Teaching Assistant for Biology for Non-Majors. I’m passionate about surgery and excited to pursue a career in medicine, especially one that allows me to work closely with underserved communities. Outside of academics, I love to paint, volunteer, and spend time at the gym, it’s how I stay maintain a balanced and creative mind in the midst of a busy schedule.

Characterization of Potential G-Quadruplex (G4)-Binding Proteins

Abstract

 G-quadruplexes (G4s) are unique, four-stranded secondary DNA structures that form in guanine-rich genomic regions. They play important roles in gene regulation and genome stability. G4s appear to regulate maize genes, suggesting potential agricultural significance. We suspect our antibody, which we refer to as “G4X,” should have G4-DNA-binding activity. The G4-binding proteins, like the G4X, are antibodies designed to recognize G4 structures selectively, facilitating their detection and isolation in biological systems. This study tested how well G4X can bind to G4 DNA using immunodepletion with G4-forming oligonucleotides and magnetic beads. We investigated how different concentrations of G4X affected DNA capture efficiency. G4X was also used for cellular staining, allowing visualization of G4 structures within a biological context.

Keywords: G4-quadruplexes, DNA–protein interactions