Characterization and Biosynthesis of Non-Methanotrophic Methanobactins

黛娜·帕特森（Dayna Patterson）获得了化学学部的数学和物理科学提升博士后研究（NSF MPS-Ascend）奖学金，以开展一项与扩大西北大学化学领域代表性不足群体参与相关的研究和活动项目。Dayna Patterson正在进行的项目名为“非甲烷营养化甲烷菌的表征和生物合成”，将在指导科学家Amy Rosenzweig的指导下进行。该项目得到数学和物理科学理事会多学科活动办公室的支持。已知甲烷氧化（甲烷营养）细菌为其功能需要铜（Cu）。为了做到这一点，许多甲烷营养细菌编码核糖体产生的，翻译后修饰的cu结合天然产物，即甲烷菌（Mbns）。计划的工作重点是阐明未表征的生物合成蛋白MbnX的生物合成功能，该蛋白参与产生尚未表征的V组Mbns。该研究员将利用遗传，结构和生化技术从昆虫病原体Xenorhabdus beddingii DSM 4764中产生和表征新的Mbn。该Mbn的结构将为了解MbnX的生物合成作用提供线索，为进一步了解MbnX，我们将对其结构和功能进行探索。支持扩大代表性不足的少数族裔在化学领域的参与的活动将包括为当地一所服务于少数族裔的社区大学的学生提供研究影子体验，以及成立全国黑人化学家和化学工程师组织（NOBCChE）的地方分会，该分会将为西北大学代表性不足的STEM学生建立一个社区。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Dayna Patterson is awarded a FY21 Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research (NSF MPS-Ascend) Fellowship from the Chemistry Division, to conduct a program of research and activities related to broadening participation by groups underrepresented in Chemistry at Northwestern University. The project being performed by Dayna Patterson, entitled Characterization and biosynthesis of non-methanotrophic methanobactins, is to be conducted under the guidance of mentoring scientist Amy Rosenzweig. This project is supported by the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate.Methane-oxidizing (methanotrophic) bacteria are known to acquire copper (Cu) for their function. To do so, many of the methanotrophic bacteria encode for ribosomally produced, post-translationally modified Cu-binding natural products known as methanobactins (Mbns). Planned work is focused on elucidating the biosynthetic function of the uncharacterized biosynthetic protein, MbnX, which is involved in producing the still uncharacterized Group V Mbns. The Fellow will utilize genetic, structural, and biochemical techniques to produce and characterize a new Mbn from the insect pathogen Xenorhabdus beddingii DSM 4764. The structure of this Mbn will provide insight into MbnX’s biosynthetic role, and to further understand MbnX, its structure and function will be explored. Activities that will support broadening participation of underrepresented minorities in Chemistry will include a research shadowing experience for students from a local minority-serving community college, and starting a local chapter of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) which will nucleate a community for underrepresented students in STEM at Northwestern University.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.