Dr. Teresa Ruiz (potential GRA Scholar)
Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

I am interested in the structural/functional relationship of macromolecular complexes. Currently, my research is focused in aspects of the sugar metabolism and bacterial adhesion. Muscle and cancer cells use glycolysis as their main energy pathway. Deficiencies of the key regulatory enzyme phosphofructokinase, whose structure is largely unknown, can lead to hemolytic anemia and Tauri's Disease. We are analyzing the structure of several yeast phosphofructokinases by cryo-electron microscopy and image processing using different combinations of effectors and substrates to obtain a better understanding of the eukaryotic mechanism. Oral bacteria not only can cause severe periodontal diseases but, as opportunistic pathogens, have been associated with other serious human infections. Bacterial adhesion is essential for colonization and invasion, and is mediated by proteinaceous surface appendages. We are studying two major colonizers of the oral cavity as model systems, treptococcus
parasanguinis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Through a combination of electron microscopy, biochemical and molecular genetic techniques, we intend to unveil the structure of the external appendages, their anchorage to the bacterial membrane and the interaction with the various human cell host components.