Dr. Sousa uses a multidisciplinary research approach, with X-ray crystallography to obtain high-resolution structures and complementary biochemical and biophysical studies to understand, in molecular detail, cellular processes including: (i) Bacterial and Mitochondrial Outer Membrane Biogenesis: focused on how chaperones and the BAM membrane protein complex cooperate to promote folding and specific insertion of beta-barrel OMPs into bacterial and mitochondrial outer membranes. (ii) Modification of the Bacterial Outer Membranes Mediating Antibiotic Resistance: Lipid-A modification with Ara4N confers resistance to antibiotics such as colistin. Dr. Sousa’s group determines the structure and mechanism of enzymes essential for this modification as a key for the design of specific inhibitors of antibiotic resistance. (iii) Protein Secretion Systems: Focused on understanding for bacterial protein secretion and its repurposing for delivery of engineered proteins to the host.
BCHM 4761 - Biochemistry Laboratory
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Two 4-hour periods per week. Introduction to modern biochemical techniques. Topics include enzymology, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, multi-step protein purification, recombinant DNA techniques and molecular cloning. Formerly CHEM 4761.
BCHM 5770 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry I
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019
Analysis of topics in biochemistry including DNA structure and replication, RNA synthesis and processing, protein synthesis, enzyme function and mechanism, and protein structure and dynamics. Intended as a comprehensive treatment of areas central to modern biochemistry for entering graduate students. Lectures concurrent with BCHM 5771 covering the same topics except for the requirement of a written research proposal. Formerly CHEM 5770.
BCHM 5771 - Advanced General Biochemistry 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020
Lect. In-depth analysis of DNA structure and replication, RNA synthesis and processing, protein synthesis, enzyme function and mechanism, protein structure, protein dynamics, and physical chemistry of macromolecules. Intended as a comprehensive treatment of areas central to modern biochemistry for entering graduate students. Formerly CHEM 5771.
BCHM 5776 - Scientific Ethics and Responsible Conduct in Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020
Lect. Advanced discussion of topics in scientific ethics, including requirements for responsible conduct of research, case histories of fraud, research misconduct, ethical misconduct and development of professional values and ethical standards. Same as MCDB 5776.
BCHM 5781 - Advanced General Biochemistry 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Lect. Detailed consideration of contemporary topics in biochemistry, including protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary), methods of structure determination and prediction, protein folding (kinetics, thermodynamics, denaturation, and renaturation), and protein dynamics (internal motions and methods of analysis). Formerly CHEM 5781.
BCHM 6901 - Research in Biochemistry
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021
May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
MCDB 6000 - Introduction to Laboratory Methods
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Introduces methodology and techniques used in biological research. Designed as a tutorial between a few students and one faculty member. Students are expected to read original research papers, discuss findings, and to plan and execute experiments in selected areas. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
