Lab Members - Scott Hsieh

Scott Hsieh is a graduate student in the lab of Sabeeha Merchant. In collaboration with the Loo Lab, he uses proteomics to study deficiency of trace elements.

In comparison to other nutrients, little is known about the metabolism of trace elements such as copper, iron, and zinc. Many of these metals are necessary for several biochemical processes such as respiration, antioxidant defense, and redox activity. One approach to studying the metabolism of these metals is to identify proteins whose expression changes when cells are subject to a deficiency of that nutrient.

To study this deficiency, the unicellular alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardii, provides a good model system. C. reinhardii has a fully sequenced genome, contains a photosynthetic apparatus that contains many iron and copper containing enzymes, and can be grown from an inoculum to the stationary phase in about four days allowing for experimentation on such cultures to be relatively quick.

Scott

Using proteomics, differentially expressed proteins can be identified, thus providing insight on how the cell adapts to deficiency. The focus of this project would involve the use of 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify differentially expressed proteins under varying metal availability conditions. Once such proteins are identified, RNAi knock-down technology can be used to study their function. As part of this research a serious collaborative internship with Dr. Joseph Loo will be done to learn the techniques and instrumentation needed for this study.