Arundhathi Jathin

The Structural Biology of Prions (or Tau) in Mad Cow Disease, CJD, or CTE.

Started Sept. 5, 2024

Abstract or project description

Arundhathi will use structures from PDB that have been solved experimentally or computationally related to prion-related or tau-related diseases. She can use in silico mutagenesis to look at changes to those proteins and how that may influence how they aggregate in the brain, leading to the pathology of those diseases. She can discuss how these changes can lead to severe illness and death and discuss potential ways to develop therapies to prevent, treat, or slow the progression of these diseases. She may use techniques like in silico mutagenesis or molecular dynamics in her study.

A Theoretical Approach to an HIV Vaccine Targeting CCR5

Started Oct. 19, 2023

Abstract or project description

One of the world’s biggest issues is the spread of bloodborne pathogens. One of such pathogens is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV weakens the immune system, making it more difficult for patients to fight off infections. CCR5 is a co-receptor found on the surface of many immune cells in the body. While its function is not fully characterized, it is frequently implicated in HIV infection, and is required for HIV to infect CD4+ T-cells. In this paper, we investigated the potential for developing a vaccine against the CCR5 co-receptor so that our immune system can produce antibodies against the receptor and block it so that HIV would be unable to penetrate T-cells. Additionally, we discussed the potential side effects of blocking the CCR5 co-receptor, we described the type of vaccine required to generate such an antibody response, and we evaluated the potential efficacy of such a vaccine in both preventing HIV transmission and potentially curing individuals living with HIV. Finally, we compare this approach to some current medications for HIV and discuss multiple studies that have explored similar CCR5-blocking approaches.