Yun Lee - Advisor, Eberhard Voit, PhD

"Mathematical Modeling Reveals the Design and Regulation of Lignin Biosynthesis in Medicago"

Lignin is a polymer in plant cell walls that is known to have negative impact on biofuel production. In Medicago, certain lignin biosynthetic enzymes may be spatially organized into two monomer-specific channels, but the mechanistic details remain unclear. Here, I will present a novel modeling strategy for exhaustively assessing all possible situations that could arise in vivo. Among other results, this analysis led to a hypothesis about activating crosstalk between the two channels, which was experimentally confirmed.

Deepraj Ghosh - Advisor, Michelle Dawson, PhD

"Effects of TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB on the Mechanical Properties and Migratory Behavior of Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-based Cancer Therapeutics"  

Development of MSC-based therapeutics has been severely restricted by their reduced homing capacity after ex vivo expansion. The identification of factors that recruit MSCs in vivo may be a key element in overcoming these transport issues. Our study explores the role of soluble factors, including TGF-β1 and PDGF, that alter the morphology, intracellular rheology, cytoskeletal organization, and adhesivity of MSCs.

The Graduate and Post-Doc (GaP) Seminar Series is a weekly event of biotechnology related research presentations by two graduate students or post-docs of IBB and is co-sponsored by BME. 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.