Ivana Kennedy - Advisor, Manu Platt, PhD

"The Role of HIV Proteins in Biomechanically Mediated Protease Activity and Arterial Remodeling"

Advances in antiretroviral therapy have extended the lives of HIV+ patients, but they have increased risk of death by cardiovascular disease. We examine how the interaction of HIV proteins with the arterial wall alters the expression of cathepsins, which are shear mediated proteases whose activity is upregulated in areas of atherogenic flow. Zymography and IHC are used to quantify cathepsin expression and visualize areas of arterial remodeling.

Guarav Dwivedi - Advisor, Melissa Kemp, PhD

"Computational Modeling of Redox Regulation in Signal Transduction"

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated enzymatically during signal transduction have been observed to influence cell signaling, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. Using experimentally acquired data we are developing computational models to understand redox regulation of IL-4 signaling. These models will help to identify the importance of multiple possible redox-regulatory mechanisms in signal transduction. 

The Graduate and Post-Doc (GaP) Seminar Series is a weekly event of research presentations by two graduate students or post-docs conducting bio-related research.  The series is organized and sponsored by the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB) with additional support from the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. It is held every Wednesday at 12:00pm in IBB 1128 and refreshments are provided. If your research group or department would like to present at future seminars, please contact Manu Platt, PhD at manu.platt@bme.gatech.edu.