Funded Projects
Engaging Native American Students in Scientific Computing with QIIME 2
This project will use QIIME 2 as an on-ramp to scientific computing for Native American students by engaging locally with schools primarily serving Native Americans, while expanding our global user, developer, and educator communities.
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Funding Source: Chan- Zuckerberg Initiative
Multivalent display of silver nanoclusters on virus-like particles as potent antimicrobials
Most approaches to increase display of clusters was to template clusters within large polymer networks, which unfortunately cause nanoclusters to shed their protective coating and coalesce into the less active nanoparticle format.
Fortunately, Nature has perfected multi-valent display, and laboratories across the world have used virus-like particles (VLPs) to increase the bioactivity of displayed antigens.
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Funding source Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications (¡MIRA!)
Arizona CEAL COVID Consortium: Promoting Health Equity during the COVID Pandemic
The goal overarching goal to conduct community-engaged research and outreach to increase COVID-19 awareness and education among communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 to reduce misinformation and mistrust.
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Funding source NIH/NIMHD
Building Trust and Awareness to Increase AZ Native Nation Participation in the COVID-19 Vaccine Trials
The goal of this Administrative Supplement is to establish effective, culturally appropriate strategies to enhance participation of AI/AN communities in prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including vaccine trials and future vaccine uptake.
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Funding source NIH/NIMHD 3U54MD012388-04S5
Increasing immunogenicity of apolipoprotein-C I (ApoC-1) peptides antigens on VLPs as potential vaccine targets against pancreatic cancer
The goal of this project is design novel vaccines using virus-like particles displaying peptide antigens that are highly immunogenic to reduce ApoC-1 associated cancers.
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Funding source University of New Mexico Geographical Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program (GMaP) Region 3
Multivalent Display of HPV Antigens using Self-Assembling Peptides
HPV vaccinations administered today do not cure all HPV infections nor are they robust in structure. Researchers are exploring the use of self-assembling peptides as novel vaccines to overcome these limitations by broadening protection and prolonging vaccine storage. Self-assembling peptides are common in nature and comprise alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids forming beta-sheet fibrils. The self-assembling peptide KFE8 (Ac-FKFEFKFE-NH2) was previously shown to induce an immune response displaying peptide antigens. Thus, we hypothesize that the KFE8 fibrils with HPV antigens and a PADRE epitope may induce B-cell and T-cell responses. The KFE8 peptide will be co-assembled with KFE8 displaying HPV antigen along the fibrils. After fibril formation, the PADRE epitope will be conjugated to the fibril lysine side chains using a bifunctional crosslinker. Characterization of peptides and fibrils will be conducted using MALDI-TOF, HPLC, TEM, and circular dichroism.
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Funding source NIH/NIMHD 1U54MD012388
https://nau.edu/sherc/wp-content/uploads/sites/79/Lee-SHERC-Pilot-Project-Abstract.pdf
Opioid vaccine development using bacteriophage virus-like particle (VLP) immunogens
Since the early 1990s, the opioid epidemic is sweeping across the United States. Opioids offer many short hand benefits to users when prescribed and taken properly, primarily as pain relief. However, various factors influence individuals that become addicts and/or overdoses. For example, long-term prescription use can lead to dependency, thus, putting the individuals at risk for overdose. One solution for the opioid crisis is developing a therapeutic vaccine. In this project, we are utilizing synthetic peptides that are modified with three opioids; hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine. We will conjugate the opioid-peptide derivatives to a vaccine platform referred to as Q-beta virus-like particles or VLPs. Mice will be immunized with controls and Q-beta oxycodone derivatives at varying concentrations to test for antibody responses.
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Funding source: NIH/NIAID 3R01HL131696 (PI - Chackerian) - Funding for the project ended June 2021 but is ongoing.
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Viewing American Indian Cervical Cancer Disparities through the Lens of the Vaginal Microbiome
In the U.S., approximately 12,900 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year, and annual mortality exceeds 4,000. According to Indian Health Service data from 1999-2009, American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women had approximately a two-fold higher incidence of cervical cancer and associated mortality rate than white women. This cervical cancer disparity is primarily attributed to a lack of screening and unequal access to healthcare; however, other factors such as a higher prevalence of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV) in AI/AN women are likely contributors as well. Certain compositions of the vaginal microbiota (VMB), the microorganisms that colonize the vagina, have recently been implicated in the development of cervical cancer, and have been observed to differ between white women and Hispanic women, where cervical cancer rate disparities have also been reported. The goal of this proposal is to address the role of the VMB and inflammation in cervical cancer pathogenesis in AI/AN women. The central hypothesis is that the VMB functions as a key regulator of mucosal inflammation in the female reproductive tract (FRT) that could affect the development of precancerous lesions and progression to invasive disease.
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Funding source: NIH/NCI 2U54CA143925
Submitted or In-Progress
1. Collaborative Research: Reformed Experimental Activities chemistry curriculum to incorporate inclusivity, continuity, and engaged student learning in early chemistry experiences - submitted to NSF
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2. HPV and Cervical Cancer: Current Research Findings in AIAN Women and CDC Recommendations
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3. Designing self-assembling peptides to target HIV antigens
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4. Increasing immunogenicity of oligonucleotide antigens using chemical biology
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5. Designing Q-beta virus-like particles as a vaccine for cardiovascular disease