projects

The available HPV vaccines were developed using HPV major capsid protein, L1, and protect against nine HPV types . A possible approach to broaden immunity and lower cost is to consider vaccination against the L2 minor capsid protein. To increase the immunogenicity of L2 antigens, this project uses short synthetic oligonucleotides which have been shown to increase a host’s ability to eliminate pathogens.

The CARE program aims to increase the number of Native American and underrepresented students (low income, disabled, etc…) in science, technology, engineering, math, and medical (STEMM) fields by engaging high school students at an earlier age (15+ years) through culturally relevant training in chemistry, biology, and healthcare fields.

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 disparity is primarily attributed to a lack of screening and unequal access to healthcare. Certain compositions of the vaginal microbiota have recently been associated with cervical cancer and have been observed to differ between white women and Hispanic women, where similar disparities have also been reported. The goal of this proposal is to address the role of the vaginal microbiota in cervical cancer pathogenesis in AI/AN women.

For years, the methamphetamine epidemic has been sweeping across the United States. Addiction is especially an issue in Native American populations due to socioeconomic status and discrimination, putting users at risk of neurobiological disorders from long term exposure and, in many cases, lethal overdose. One solution for the crisis of this drug is developing a therapeutic vaccine using Q-beta virus-like particles as platforms for synthetically made methamphetamine hapten.

Self-assembling proteins commonly occur in nature and have been shown to have potential as a vaccine platform with displayed peptide antigens. Current HPV vaccines are virus-like particles which are not as robust or as easily stored as the peptides, and current vaccines do not protect against all types of HPV. The goal is to create Q11 and KFE8 (Ac-FKFEFKFE-NH2) peptide sequences alongside HPV L2 protein sequences. We hypothesize that these peptides will cause an immune system response with B cells.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Based on current data, cardiovascular disease rates are connected to high levels of a type of fat called triglycerides and low levels of HDL-cholesterol. Apolipoprotein C-3 (ApoC-3) is an important protein in the pathway of triglyceride formation. This project aims to develop ApoCIII peptides conjugated to virus-like particles in order to reduce triglyceride levels by decreasing amounts of free fatty acids, therefore creating a possible therapeutic for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities works closely with the communities hit hardest by COVID-19. The CEAL program compiles FAQs, fact sheets, and other resources to be shared to provide accurate information and encourage people to get informed and take steps to overcome COVID-19.

Antibiotic resistant microbes are on the rise and require alternative methods of treating microbes to be explored. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have been shown to increase bioactivities of displayed antigens. This project aims to conjugate small silver nanoparticles onto the surface of VLPs to increase the bioactivity of the nanoparticles while maintaining biocompatibility of small nanoparticles.

Underrepresented students will get the opportunity to learn QIIME 2, the premier software for microbiome research, and apply the open source software to explore real-world problems. In these workshops, students will work alongside experts, including other Native American researchers.