Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences - CMB Graduate Program at UVM

Congratulations to CMB student Cole Davidson who successfully defended his dissertation titled, “Thyroid Hormone Receptor Beta Inhibits PI3K Signaling and Glycogen Metabolism in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer” 👏👏👏

New publication from CMB students Sierra Bruno and Mona Ruban in the Anathy Lab examining interaction of the host redox chaperone protein PDIA3 with the influenza protein NA and the necessity of this host machinery for proper NA folding and viral propagation.

UVM Graduate College The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont

Protein Disulfide Isomerase A3 Regulates Influenza Neuraminidase Activity and Influenza Burden in the Lung - PubMed Influenza (IAV) neuraminidase (NA) is a glycoprotein required for the viral exit from the cell. NA requires disulfide bonds for proper function. We have recently demonstrated that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI)A3 is required for oxidative folding of IAV hemagglutinin (HA), and viral propagation.....

Congratulations Sierra!! 👏👏👏
Robert Larner College of Medicine UVM Graduate College

CMB @ UVM on Twitter “Congratulations to CMB student Sierra Bruno who successfully defended her dissertation titled, “Mitochondrial dynamic regulation of the lung epithelial response to complex allergen”👏👏👏 ”

In this recent article, the authors studied the effect of a mutation in Tau protein, R5L, associated with neurodegeneration. They discovered the R5L mutation is unlike other disease-associated mutations in Tau, challenging the current model of disease onset.
Congrats to CMB student Alisa Cario and the Berger Lab! 👏👏👏
Robert Larner College of Medicine UVM Graduate College

The pathogenic R5L mutation disrupts formation of Tau complexes on the microtubule by altering local N-terminal structure - PubMed The microtubule-associated protein (MAP) Tau is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) primarily expressed in axons, where it functions to regulate microtubule dynamics, modulate motor protein motility, and participate in signaling cascades. Tau misregulation and point mutations are linked to neu...

Congratulations to CMB student J.J. Bivona who successfully defended his dissertation titled, "A multi-scale examination of skeletal muscle’s contribution to local and systemic immunomodulation." 👏👏👏

UVM Graduate College The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont

Are mice a poor model for the human immune system, or are we just using the wrong mice? CMB student Snyder et al. used wild-derived mice to understand genetics of dendritic cell activation and metabolism, and discovered a novel Nos2 allele that behaves more like its human counterpart. UVM Graduate College

Divergent Genetic Regulation of Nitric Oxide Production between C57BL/6J and Wild-Derived PWD/PhJ Mice Controls Postactivation Mitochondrial Metabolism, Cell Survival, and Bacterial Resistance in Dendritic Cells - PubMed Dendritic cell (DC) activation is characterized by sustained commitment to glycolysis that is a requirement for survival in DC subsets that express inducible NO synthase (Nos2) due to NO-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. This phenomenon primarily has been studied in DCs from t...

Thanks to CMB student Matti Scannell for sharing these positive words about her recent experience at the SACNAS (The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) 2021 National Conference: "It was an absolute pleasure to attend the SACNAS (The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) 2021 National Conference this week! Of all the events I attended over the course of a week and a half, the two that had the biggest impact on me were the "Women in Stem Networking Event" hosted by the National Security Agency and the "Postdoc Session: Career Pathways Panel". The sense of camaraderie, focus on intersectionality, and positivity of my fellow SACNISTAS was both welcoming and inspiring. Knowing that at every stage of STEM people have the same need for community, mentorship, and a chance to tell their story was very confirming. To hear speaker after speaker encouraging us to "keep pushing --surprise yourself!" and "stay strong, stay focused, and keep moving forward" reminded me just how much is possible in STEM. I highly recommend UVM students interested in learning more join our local SACNAS at UVM chapter!"

New publication from CMB students Sierra Bruno and Bethany Mihavics and faculty member Dr. Brian Cunniff, examining the role of DRP1, a protein essential for mitochondrial fission, in the pathogenesis of allergic airway disease. 👏👏👏

DRP1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission Regulates Lung Epithelial Response to Allergen - PubMed Mitochondria regulate a myriad of cellular functions. Dysregulation of mitochondrial control within airway epithelial cells has been implicated in the pro-inflammatory response to allergens in asthma patients. Because of their multifaceted nature, mitochondrial structure must be tightly regulated th...

Congrats to CMB student JJ Bivona, winner of the Dean's Excellence in Research Graduate Student Research Showcase, Senior Graduate Division, and runners-up Allison Morrissey (CMB, Junior Graduate Division) and Jeffrey Brabec (NGP, Senior Graduate Division)!
👏👏👏 UVM Graduate College

Congrats to CMB faculty members Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, winner of the Dean's Research Laureate Award, Jason Stumpff, winner of the Dean’s Mid-Career Investigator Award, and Michael Previs, winner of the Dean’s Rising Star New Investigator Award! Robert Larner College of Medicine

Check this hot-off-the-press article by University of Vermont Cancer Center researchers that show an induction of an ATR DNA damage response and telomere shortening in Vero E6 cells by SARS-CoV-2 infection!!!

SARS-CoV-2 triggers DNA damage response in Vero E6 cells - PubMed The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic and has now infected more than 200 million people with more than 4 million deaths globally. Recent data suggest that symptoms and general malaise may continue long after the inf...