Biomedical Faculty and Staff

I study the aging process using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a whole-animal model system.  My current project examines autofluorescence in freshly extracted organs.  The goal is to quantify damaged material that is thought to accumulate during aging, verifying that it is not an artifact of tissue preservation.  Past projects have explored the effects on life span of various dietary supplements and genetic modifications intended to boost antioxidative defenses, with mostly negative results.

My laboratory is focused on patient infections caused by microorganisms. Emphasis is placed on preventing hospital-acquired infections or HAIs, that develop as the direct result of patient treatment. In other words, the patient becomes infected during their medical care.

Areas of Interest:

Thermoplastic medical devices - We are looking at the ability of several different bacterial/fungal pathogens to attach to and survive on radiation therapy and orthotic thermoplastic immobilization devices. Thermoplastics are heated and then molded to patient body contours. They are used to restrict patient movement during cancer treatments with high dosage radiation or after hand surgery or burns. Contamination of the devices pose an infection risk to patients.

Fabric Biocide Testing - We have developed a new chromogenic assay for testing antibacterial activity of a novel rechargeable biocide incorporated into white cotton fabric. Biocides are routinely incorporated into different materials (e.g., wound dressings, water filters, fabric, etc.) to prevent microorganism growth reducing usable lifespan. The new biocide was developed by faculty at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Department of & Biomolecular Chemical Engineering. It will be incorporated into patient hospital bed linen and other similar applications to help prevent infections.

Chemical Disinfection - We are synthesizing/testing unusual boronium salt (ionic liquid) compounds. Boronium salts contain a unique boronium ion derived from the element boron that is in between a metal and nonmetal. The boronium compounds have shown greater antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity than a commercial quaternary ammonium disinfectant. The boronium ion was developed by a faculty member in the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Department of Chemistry.

Metallic Nanoparticles - We are evaluating several different biogenic nanoparticles for antimicrobial activity derived by green-synthesis. Biogenic silver nanoparticles were produced by exposing silver nitrate to a cell lysate of a genetically altered Escherichia coli bacterium. Derived nanoparticles have shown greater antibacterial and antifungal activity than two commercial sources of chemically-derived silver nanoparticles, which result in waste materials. Green biosynthesis eliminates undesirable waste. This is a joint project with Alabama A&MU faculty.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) - We are investigating the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aer), the number one cause of VAP in ICU patients. P. aeruginosa produces four different exoenzymes (exotoxins) namely S, T, U, and Y that are injected into endothelial cells that line blood vessels by a type III secretion system (T3SS). Current focus involves looking at effects of ExoY intoxication of pulmonary microvascular endothelium expression on ubiquitin protein levels. Ubiquitin is a regulatory protein with several roles including degrading misfolded (abnormal) proteins via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that forms insoluble filaments that accumulate as neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other related tauopathies

Mitochondria and the "other genome". Mitochondrial DNA: maintenance, damage, repair and degradation.

1. Mitochondrial DNA: A disposable genome? Shokolenko IN, Alexeyev MF. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015 Sep;1852(9):1805-9. Review.

Though mitochondria are known for their "powerhouse" capability to produce ATP, they are also major signaling organelles. Mitochondria are capable of generating oxidant signals in the form of reactive oxygen species, or ROS. These ROS have been implicated in various processes such as aging, programmed cell death, and gene expression. My research has focused on the role of mitochondrial ROS in hypoxic regulation of nuclear gene expression, particularly in the blood vessels of the lungs.

Other interests involve research and implementation of active learning strategies in the classroom. Recent studies suggest that strategies promoting active participation of students in course content and delivery have a positive impact on their success. There is much debate about which strategies are most effective and the degree of success of such strategies. However, current studies are investigating those concerns.

• Link between chemoresistance and metastasis in cancer.
• Functional relevance of glycosylation on drug resistance proteins in cancer.
• Phytochemicals (natural products) as cancer therapeutic agents.
• Metabolism and cancer.

My area of expertise is the Neurobiology of the Creative Process. I am interested in the restoration of the Self through strategies that will help patients self-regulate and engage in building up proper groups and communities.

• Neurobiology of Compassion
• Mental Health
• Integrative Medicine