![\"Trypanosomes](\"http:\/\/jpalench.clasit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Slide11-150x150.jpg\")
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Trypanosomes are parasitic organisms responsible for global disease, including Chagas Disease<\/a> and African Sleeping Sickness\/Trypanosomiasis<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 These ancient single-celled eukaryotes are brimming with unusual biochemical features.\u00a0\u00a0 Among these, our lab is our most interested in studying proteins that are either 1) unique to the parasite or 2) are found in other organisms, but whose function is not understood in the parasite. \u00a0 Therapeutics to treat\u00a0the diseases caused by these parasites are lacking. \u00a0 The potential for downstream therapeutic application is a requisite for all projects in the lab.<\/p>\n Undergraduates and graduate students in the lab ask such questions as, “What happens if we remove a particular protein from parasites in culture? \u00a0What can we learn about that protein’s function?” \u00a0or “What type of enzymatic activity does this particular protein have? \u00a0What does this activity tell us about the protein’s role in the parasite?” \u00a0We also ask fundamental questions about protein structure and function, such as “Can we alter protein’s specificity for the small molecules required for activity by making changes to the protein’s amino acid composition?”<\/p>\n Students in the lab will have the opportunity to learn protein purification, enzyme characterization, basic molecular biology techniques, trypanosome cell culture, and RNA interference work in Trypanosoma brucei<\/em>, among other techniques. \u00a0There are openings in the lab. \u00a0Please contact Dr. Palenchar if you are interested in learning more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Trypanosomes are parasitic organisms responsible for global disease, including Chagas Disease and African Sleeping Sickness\/Trypanosomiasis.\u00a0\u00a0 These ancient single-celled eukaryotes are brimming with unusual biochemical features.\u00a0\u00a0 Among these, our lab is our most interested in studying proteins that are either 1) unique to the parasite or 2) are found in other organisms, but whose function is … Continue reading Our Research<\/span> ![\"JP](\"http:\/\/jpalench.clasit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/JP-and-Cait-pic-300x225.jpg\")
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