Structural biology of cedar pollen allergy

候选人：申请人Terumi Midoro-Horiuti， M.D, Ph.D.是德克萨斯大学医学分部（UTMB）儿科助理教授。Midoro博士完成了她的儿科住院医师，她在日本获得了过敏/免疫学临床奖学金，并在德克萨斯大学医学分部的儿童健康研究中心获得了研究奖学金。Midoro博士和她在德克萨斯大学医学分部的主管意识到，在结构和分子生物学方面的额外培训将促进Midoro博士向独立研究者的过渡。赞助人：她的导师Randall Goldblum，医学博士，儿科和人类生物化学与遗传学系教授，儿童健康研究中心主任。共同导师，Werner Braun博士。是人类生物化学和遗传学教授，也是西利结构生物学中心的高级科学家。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Candidate: The applicant, Terumi Midoro-Horiuti, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Dr. Midoro completed her residency in pediatrics, her clinical fellowship in allergy/immunology in Japan, research fellowship in Child Health Research Center at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Midoro and her supervisors at the University of Texas Medical Branch realize additional training in structural and molecular biology will enhance Dr. Midoro's transition into independent investigator. Sponsor: Her mentor, Randall Goldblum, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics and a Director of Child Health Research Center. Co-mentor, Werner Braun, PhD. is a Professor in the Department of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics and a Senior Scientist of the Sealy Center for Structural Biology. Career Development Plan: The educational goal Dr. Midoro proposes here is to learn the theory and practice of structural biology through course work and an investigation of the mechanisms of allergen recognition and allergic sensitization. During the first two years Dr. Midoro will take formal courses: Structure and Function of Biomolecules, and Bioinformatics tools on the Web supported by the Department of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics. She will devote 80% of her time to her training and her research project. The hypothesis that will be tested by the proposed studies is that conformational IgE epitopes are structurally different from epitopes recognized by other isotypes and are, at least in part, responsible for the allergenicity of certain proteins. The specific aims that will test the hypothesis are to: (1) Identify conformational IgE and IgG epitopes by probing a phage display peptide library. (2) Identify critical elements of linear and conformational epitopes by comparing structures of sensitizing allergens with those of their phylogenetic homologues. (3) Design epitope mimics (mimotopes) of Jun a 1 epitopes that prevent IgE binding and cross-linking by allergens. Child Health Research Center and Searly Center for Structural Biology at the UTMB provide an ideal environment for training Dr. Midoro by incorporating expertise from diverse fields. Completion of this project should greatly enhance Dr. Midoro's chances of an independent research carrier.