Rebecca Jernigan
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Mail code: 7401Campus: Tempe
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https://www.abc15.com/news/asu-chemists-send-protein-to-space-in-hopes-of-developing-cancer-cure
Rebecca is interested in the use of serial femtosecond crystallography to solve the structures of biomedically relevant proteins. Through the use of x-ray free electron laser (XFEL) technology, high-resolution structures can be determined to provide useful information for drug discovery and design.
Techniques:
Cell transformation, growth, expression, and large scale (membrane and structural) protein purification (capA, gene product 9 T4 Bacteriophage) in E. Coli; purification of Cydia pomonella granulosis virus (CpGV) and jet testing; small scale purification of capBCA subunits; biophysical and biochemical characterization of a protein gene product 9, including sample analysis with Dynamic Light Scattering and NanoSight; SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis (Coomassie blue stain, silver stain, western blot), agarose gel electrophoresis; bioinformatics software for analysis; limited proteolysis; various crystallization techniques: sitting and hanging drop and analysis under microscope, femtosecond x-ray crystallography: sample preparation, sample loading with Gas Dynamic Virtual Nozzles (GDVN).
Rebecca Jernigan began working in Fromme laboratories studying structural biology in January of 2013 pursuing a high school research project beginning in September of 2012. In joining the Center for Membrane Proteins and Infectious Diseases (MPID) group, she combined her interest of medical research with a better understanding for the biochemical mechanisms of disease. Under this group, she worked on her project, "The Innovative Use of Proteolytic Enzymes as Specific Targeting Antivirals," which she competed with as a finalist at the International Science and Engineering Fair in 2014 and 2015. Rebecca has continued her research with the Fromme group as an undergraduate, now with the Center for Applied Structural Discovery (CASD). Primarily, her current work involves a membrane protein complex in the causative agent for tularemia and an anti-cancer therapeutic target, Taspase1.
Purification and Biophysical Characterization of the CapB and CapC Membrane Proteins FTT0805 and FTT0806 from Francisella tularensis. (In manuscript).
Structural Determination of Full-Length Human Taspase1: Towards Rational Drug Design Against a New Cancer Target. (In manuscript).
BIO 394: Applied Animal Behavior, Guest lecturer (Spring 2016, 2017, 2018) Topic: Application of Learning Theory and Animal Behavior in Dog Training and Dog Sports
Research:
2019 Sample Challenge Award Nature conference: Functional Dynamics
2019 Poster Award International School on Biological Crystallization
Future Innovator of the Year 2015 Arizona Technology Council, Governor’s Celebration of Innovation
Finalist 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Microbiology)
Best in Fair 2015 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (Microbiology)
1st Place 2015 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (Microbiology)
2nd Place 2015 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (Biomedical & Health Sciences)
Honorable Mention 2015 Future Innovator of the Year
Finalist 2014 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Microbiology)
Grand Award 2014 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (Microbiology)
1st Place 2014 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (Microbiology)
1st Place 2014 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (Microbiology)
Extracurricular:
2015 Gold Award, Girl Scouts
2015 Team USA, European Open for Juniors, dog agility, (Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, Czech Republic)
2015 Australian Shepherd Club of America Nationals 2015 (Nashville, Tennessee), High in Trial Open
2015 East Valley Regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego Leauge, Mentor of the Year
April 2014: Heritage Festival of Gold: Honor Orchestra and Symphony in Washington, D.C.
Silver Award, Girl Scouts
Bronze Award, Girl Scouts