Chemistry Biology Interface Training Program
Pharmacology graduate student and CBI trainee Catherine (Cat) Demery just published the first author paper “Xylazine Exacerbates Fentanyl-Induced Respiratory Depression” in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. She was also selected as the JPET highlighted trainee author of the month! Nicely done, Cat!
Cade Harkner (Keane lab) says his favorite molecule is RNA, which he views as the “Swiss army knife” of biology. He just had a co-first author paper published in JMB. Check it out here.
Medicinal Chemistry graduate student Katelyn Brown was selected for this year’s Departmental Student Citizenship Award. Nominator Graduate Studies Director Amanda Garner noted that Katelyn is highly participatory in many aspects, including the the American Chemical Society’s local student chapter. Congratulations Katelyn!
Zoe’s graduate research focuses on how hosts distinguish between viral RNA and their own mRNA. But she also uses her scientific knowledge to make interdisciplinary connections in science using illustration. Case in point: as an undergrad she couldn’t figure out whether to study biology, chemistry or art, so she studied and held part-time jobs in all three subjects. Enjoy her take on a cellular city on the right. (My favorite this summer is the vacuole pool, but the workout gym/mitochondria is cool too.)
CBI trainee Courtney Henthorn gave a great talk at this year’s annual CBI symposium, held at UT Southwestern in Dallas. Trainees Cole Stephens, Megan Medina, Geoffrey Hewett, Caroline Spancake, and Luis Vásquez-Rivera presented posters. There may or may not have also been a fair bit of trying on 10-gallon cowboy hats afterwards.
Biological Chemistry CBI faculty member Chase Weidmann won the EBS Teaching Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to teaching and mentoring within the department and across the University of Michigan.
Zoe Yeoh, her mentors Dr. Janet Smith and Dr. Melanie Ohi, and several collaborators provide new insights into ZAP-mediated attenuation of viruses in research recently published in PNAS. In cells, ZAP (zinc-finger antiviral protein) and KHNYN (KH-like and NYN domain containing protein) act together with partners to recognize and deplete viral RNA containing CpG dinucleotide clusters. Using purified recombinant proteins and biochemical assays, the researchers defined a minimal ZAP:KHNYN complex that degrades single-stranded RNA and proposed a model for how this core would interact with viral RNA that contains CpG clusters.
Senior CBI trainee Austin Ventura, working the the laboratory of John Montgomery, was recently awarded a competitive Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship. This fellowship supports outstanding doctoral students who are actively working on dissertation research and writing. Congratulations Austin!
A New York Times article this year showcased the work that trainee Cole Stephens and his colleagues are doing in the Cernak lab. As a medicinal chemist, Cole has a strong commitment to the betterment of human health, but human health and environmental health are intrinsically linked. By applying the technologies and principles of precision medicine, Cole and his group treated a Gila monster named Pebbles for a Cryptosporidium infection.
Congratulations Ana and Katelyn! So proud of your accomplishments!
