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This summer, biochemistry major Ilvira Mardanova ’09 (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) had the opportunity to impact the study of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease by exploring the field of protein folding and aggregation.
She collaborated with Yvonne Gindt, assistant professor of chemistry, whose research focuses on expanding the theory of the formation of large complexes and surface tension. According to Gindt, basic protein theory predicts a relationship between a protein remaining folded and high surface tension. Mardanova assisted Gindt in studying forces that cause protein subunits to bind together to form a large, active complex.
They worked together as part of Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
Mardanova built on earlier research Gindt conducted with Hannah Tuson ’06 for the student’s honors thesis. Gindt received a $100,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue her research with Lafayette students on protein folding and aggregation, which has applications to a number of terminal diseases. She investigated improper folding of proteins with three students who presented their findings at the Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention and recently accompanied three of her research students to a national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
“For example, hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen to cells, is actually four individual protein subunits that bind together in a very specific manner to form the macrostructure that actually is able to carry the oxygen,” Gindt explains. “What drives the subunits to bind in that particular manner? Why do only four subunits bind and not more or less?”
To study the forces that cause subunits to combine, Gindt and Mardanova worked with the colorful protein phycocyanin, isolated from cyanobacteria. Because this protein changes color when its subunits bind together, researchers can easily follow the reaction by watching the color changes.
“I see a great potential in understanding the mechanism of changing the structure of such complex proteins as phycocyanin,” Mardanova says. “Discerning the mechanism of forming complex protein structures may further our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases caused by protein clumps.”
Gindt believes lab experience is one of the most beneficial aspects of the EXCEL program, especially since it differs so much from regular classroom lab exercises.
“It allows me to train students as scientists,” she says. “Teaching laboratories unfortunately do not reflect the real-world laboratory. We tend to only use labs that give good results. Real experiments have a much greater failure rate. The EXCEL program allows me to get students working in the laboratory in real-world situations.”
In the lab, Mardanova cultivated cyanobacteria and prepared the protein for experiments. She also was responsible for using a device called a tensiometer to measure the surface tension of solutions that included the protein.
“Ilvira learned material that she otherwise would not learn until her third or fourth year of college,” says Gindt. “She also learned material that is unique to a biophysical chemistry laboratory that she would not have the opportunity to learn otherwise. She is a very diligent student, and she worked her way through several difficult papers – papers written for Ph.D. chemists.”
“I feel like I opened the curtain to the mysterious world of protein, but there is a lot to learn and even more to investigate,” adds Mardanova, who plans to pursue a career in pharmaceuticals.
Mardanova views EXCEL research as a valuable tool to increase students’ understanding of practical science.
“The EXCEL program at Lafayette helps students get a hands-on experience in the field of study they are interested in, and [helps us] understand the true nature of scientific research, which brings both happiness and disappointment, teaches discipline and patience, and develops critical thinking,” she says.
Mardanova is a member of International Students Association, Outdoors Club, and Synchromotion Dance Club.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.