CAREER: An Interdisciplinary Approach Toward Understanding Dynamic Glycosylation in the Brain

该研究计划的重点是了解O-GlcNAc糖基化在调节神经元功能和通信中的作用，包括转录的调节和对学习和记忆重要的基因的控制。将探讨O-GlcNAc糖基化在环AMP反应元件结合蛋白介导的转录中的作用。通过开发能够在蛋白质组范围内加速鉴定O-GlcNAc糖基化蛋白的合成化学探针，将在大脑中鉴定此类修饰的蛋白质。研究生、本科生和高中生的教育经验将通过量身定制的课程讨论和研究参与得到加强，并将努力通过提供支持机制和指导来增加女性在化学劳动力中的代表性。在有机和大分子化学计划以及分子和细胞生物化学计划的支持下，加州理工学院化学与化学工程系的琳达·谢-威尔逊教授正在探索对大脑功能和功能障碍至关重要的化学变化。Hsieh-Wilson教授的研究还涉及大脑化学物质时空调节的方法，从而产生神经系统的复杂生物学。这些研究有助于理解大脑中特定化学变化的结构，功能和生理作用。教授谢威尔逊参与了一些方案，旨在提高研究生，本科生和高中学生的教育经验，通过量身定制的课程讨论和研究参与，并增加妇女在化学劳动力的代表性。

This research program focuses on development of an understanding of the role of O-GlcNAc glycosylation in regulating neuronal function and communication, including the regulation of transcription and the control of genes important for learning and memory. The role of O-GlcNAc glycosylation in cyclic AMP response element binding protein-mediated transcription will be explored. Faciliated by development of a synthetic chemical probe enabling the accelerated identification of O-GlcNAc glycosylated proteins on a proteome-wide scale, such modified proteins will be identified in the brain. The educational experience of graduate, undergraduate, and high school students will be enahnced through tailored course discussion and research involvement, and efforts will be made to increase the representation of women in the chemical workforce through provision of support mechanisms and mentorship.With the support of this CAREER Award from the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program and the Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Program, Professor Linda Hsieh-Wilson, of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology, is exploring chemical changes important for brain function and dysfunction. Professor Hsieh-Wilson's studies additionally address the means by which the chemistry of the brain is spatiotemporally regulated to give rise to the intricate biology of the nervous system. These studies are leading to an understanding of the structural, functional, and physiological roles of specific chemical changes in the brain. Professor Hsieh-Wilson is involved in a number of programs designed to enhance the educational experience of graduate, undergraduate, and high school students through tailored course discussion and research involvement and to increase the representation of women in the chemical workforce.