Characterization and Biosynthesis of Non-Methanotrophic Methanobactins

Dayna Patterson被授予FY 21数学和物理科学上升博士后研究（NSF MPS-Ascend）奖学金，以开展与西北大学化学中代表性不足的群体扩大参与有关的研究和活动计划。 由Dayna Patterson执行的题为非甲烷氧化菌甲烷氧化菌素的表征和生物合成的项目将在指导科学家Amy Rosenzweig的指导下进行。该项目由数学和物理科学理事会多学科活动办公室支持。甲烷氧化细菌（甲烷氧化菌）因其功能而获得铜（Cu）。为了做到这一点，许多甲烷氧化细菌编码核糖体产生的，后修饰的铜结合天然产物，称为甲烷氧化菌素（Mbns）。 计划的工作集中于阐明未表征的生物合成蛋白MbnX的生物合成功能，该蛋白参与产生仍未表征的V组Mbns。 该研究员将利用遗传、结构和生物化学技术，从昆虫病原体贝丁氏杆菌DSM 4764中产生和表征一种新的Mbn。这种Mbn的结构将提供对MbnX的生物合成作用的深入了解，为了进一步了解MbnX，将探索其结构和功能。 支持扩大代表性不足的少数群体参与化学的活动将包括为当地一所为少数群体服务的社区学院的学生提供研究跟踪体验，并成立了全国黑人化学家和化学工程师组织（NOBCChE）的地方分会。该奖项将为西北大学STEM领域代表性不足的学生建立一个社区。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，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，

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.