This blog is devoted to BIOL 6988, a graduate level seminar in the biological sciences at Youngstown State University. While targeted towards graduate students, BIOL 6988 actively incorporates undergraduate participants in their scholastic endeavors in the biological sciences. This blog is intended as a educational tool not just for YSU students and faculty, but for anyone who wishes to contribute to an active-learning environment.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Justina shall send out her presentation as
a voice-over PowerPoint. This post represents the spot where grad
students in BIOL 6988 are to comment on her presentation.
I thought Justina presented really well. The data was clearly illustrated to show that her gene showed differential expression. She clearly presented the information highlights in the virtual meeting. Her ability to answer the questions posed was good, though there may have been some misunderstanding at one point between her and Dr. Caguiat, but that would be something that would need to be hashed out between them. Overall I enjoyed listening to her present in the meeting and enjoyed how it all went.
Justina presented us with a very good seminar Friday. I enjoyed that she shared with us what got her involved in research to begin with. Her project focuses on thermally dimorphic T. marneffei that causes Talaromycosis. She wants to further investigate the function of the protein GmpA that is found within the fungus. What she has found so far is that this designated protein is mainly expressed in the yeast phase of the fungus. Once she is able to be back on campus, the function of this specific protein can be further analyzed. Based on the information she provided us with, what do you predict the functions of this protein will be to contribute to the fungus?
Justina did an amazing job presenting her thesis research with T. marneffei. Her research is complex and involves extensive analyzation, and the fact that she discovered a new gene in T. marneffei is impressive! I would love to see how she furthers her research into creating a knockout and investigating the GmpA protein. Her research can be very confusing unless you are directly involved but I think Justina did a great job of explaining things in a way everyone understood.
Justina did a tremendous job with her presentation. Like Olivia said, I was impressed with her discovery of a new gene. Once she gets the chance to go back to campus and resume her research I would certainly be interest in seeing what further work she can accomplish with the GmpA protein.
I just enjoy Justina present.Her background was very clear and simple to anybody who has never heard of this fungus,thanks we are in the same mycology class with her. I loved how she presented her results. The idea of her learning this GmpA protein in terms of its function in Talaromyces marneffei was awesome. Since she found out that this protein is expressed during the yeast phase, my guess is, it might be involved in the virulence of this fungus. This means it will determine the pathogenicity of this fungus and how well it can evade the host's immune response. I can't wait for her to resume her work and update us on the final findings of this protein. Good work Justina.
I enjoyed Justina`s presentation immensely. I find that she works very well under pressure as evidenced by her ability to answer many rapid-fire questions from the faculty. I think that Justina`s research is very important as Talaromyces marneffei is understudied, any effort to understand the molecular mechanisms of its pathogenicity could prove to be integral to finding an effective treatment other than the previously available antifungal pharmaceuticals. I am excited to see where her work goes from here once the coronavirus pandemic slows.
Justina's presentation definitely has had some of the most promising results of all of the presentations thus far. A new gene in T. marnieffei can help in further investigating the function of GpmA and I look forward to her results. The presentation itself was a little hard to follow, but it further shows that she put a lot of effort into her research. - Michael Deak
Justina presentation topic was really engaging,She was very clear and it made me understand the topic so well.The new protein investigated GpmA expressed at the yeast phase of T.marneffei was interesting to know,I would certainly be interested in seeing what further work she can accomplish with the GmpA protein in terms of determining its functions and role in T. marneffei
Justina did a wonderful job presenting her research on Talaromyces marneffei. It was interesting to see how Justina and Brett’s research differed from each other since they both worked with the same organism. Justina created a knockout mutant to investigate the function of the protein gmpA. The pictures in the introduction and the figures on the data were nice and the presentation was well put together. It is unfortunate that all of these interesting research ideas have been blocked by Covid-19 and I hope everyone gets to finish what they were working on.
Since the exact mechanisms of pathogenesis are unknown, the GmpA protein may play a role in binding to the macrophages which ingest the yeast phase of the fungus. Although the other surface of the cell membrane is hydrophilic due to the nature of the cell membrane, GmpA could bind to potentially hydrophobic molecules attached to the macrophage cell membrane. This is just conjecture, but perhaps studies of the interaction between the macrophage and fungus could better elucidate those mechanisms.
I thought Justina presented really well. The data was clearly illustrated to show that her gene showed differential expression. She clearly presented the information highlights in the virtual meeting. Her ability to answer the questions posed was good, though there may have been some misunderstanding at one point between her and Dr. Caguiat, but that would be something that would need to be hashed out between them. Overall I enjoyed listening to her present in the meeting and enjoyed how it all went.
ReplyDeleteJustina presented us with a very good seminar Friday. I enjoyed that she shared with us what got her involved in research to begin with. Her project focuses on thermally dimorphic T. marneffei that causes Talaromycosis. She wants to further investigate the function of the protein GmpA that is found within the fungus. What she has found so far is that this designated protein is mainly expressed in the yeast phase of the fungus. Once she is able to be back on campus, the function of this specific protein can be further analyzed. Based on the information she provided us with, what do you predict the functions of this protein will be to contribute to the fungus?
ReplyDeleteJustina did an amazing job presenting her thesis research with T. marneffei. Her research is complex and involves extensive analyzation, and the fact that she discovered a new gene in T. marneffei is impressive! I would love to see how she furthers her research into creating a knockout and investigating the GmpA protein. Her research can be very confusing unless you are directly involved but I think Justina did a great job of explaining things in a way everyone understood.
ReplyDeleteJustina did a tremendous job with her presentation. Like Olivia said, I was impressed with her discovery of a new gene. Once she gets the chance to go back to campus and resume her research I would certainly be interest in seeing what further work she can accomplish with the GmpA protein.
ReplyDeleteI just enjoy Justina present.Her background was very clear and simple to anybody who has never heard of this fungus,thanks we are in the same mycology class with her. I loved how she presented her results. The idea of her learning this GmpA protein in terms of its function in Talaromyces marneffei was awesome. Since she found out that this protein is expressed during the yeast phase, my guess is, it might be involved in the virulence of this fungus. This means it will determine the pathogenicity of this fungus and how well it can evade the host's immune response. I can't wait for her to resume her work and update us on the final findings of this protein. Good work Justina.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Justina`s presentation immensely. I find that she works very well under pressure as evidenced by her ability to answer many rapid-fire questions from the faculty. I think that Justina`s research is very important as Talaromyces marneffei is understudied, any effort to understand the molecular mechanisms of its pathogenicity could prove to be integral to finding an effective treatment other than the previously available antifungal pharmaceuticals. I am excited to see where her work goes from here once the coronavirus pandemic slows.
ReplyDeleteJustina's presentation definitely has had some of the most promising results of all of the presentations thus far. A new gene in T. marnieffei can help in further investigating the function of GpmA and I look forward to her results. The presentation itself was a little hard to follow, but it further shows that she put a lot of effort into her research. - Michael Deak
ReplyDeleteJustina presentation topic was really engaging,She was very clear and it made me understand the topic so well.The new protein investigated GpmA expressed at the yeast phase of T.marneffei was interesting to know,I would certainly be interested in seeing what further work she can accomplish with the GmpA protein in terms of determining its functions and role in T. marneffei
ReplyDeleteJustina did a wonderful job presenting her research on Talaromyces marneffei. It was interesting to see how Justina and Brett’s research differed from each other since they both worked with the same organism. Justina created a knockout mutant to investigate the function of the protein gmpA. The pictures in the introduction and the figures on the data were nice and the presentation was well put together. It is unfortunate that all of these interesting research ideas have been blocked by Covid-19 and I hope everyone gets to finish what they were working on.
ReplyDeleteSince the exact mechanisms of pathogenesis are unknown, the GmpA protein may play a role in binding to the macrophages which ingest the yeast phase of the fungus. Although the other surface of the cell membrane is hydrophilic due to the nature of the cell membrane, GmpA could bind to potentially hydrophobic molecules attached to the macrophage cell membrane. This is just conjecture, but perhaps studies of the interaction between the macrophage and fungus could better elucidate those mechanisms.
ReplyDelete