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91吃瓜网 Faculty Research Published in the Prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society

Mon, 09/30/2024 - 09:28am | By: Dr. David Tisdale

Two highly accomplished researchers in the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of 91吃瓜网 (USM) recently marked inclusion of their research in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), widely considered one of the most significant and impactful journals in the field of chemistry and the flagship publication of the American Chemical Society.

USM Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences faculty members Dr. Vijay Rangachari, a professor of biophysical chemistry, and Dr. Tristan Clemons, an assistant professor of polymer science and engineering, are among co-authors of 91吃瓜网淩eversible Disulfide Bond Cross-Links as Tunable Levers of Phase Separation in Designer Biomolecular Condensates91吃瓜网� featured in the Aug. 24.

The report showcases a simple method to develop tunable and customizable 91吃瓜网渧iscoelastic91吃瓜网� protein materials, i.e., materials showing elasticity under stress and are viscous like fluids. The researchers also show in the report that these materials can be formed and dissolved reversibly and lay a foundation for making viscoelastic proteinous materials that may find applications in biotechnological applications, such as in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries, among other related areas. This research effort was funded by the National Science Foundation91吃瓜网 Biomaterials research program.  

91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檓 excited to have this paper out,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Rangachari, who joined the Southern Miss faculty in 2008. 91吃瓜网淭his idea was in the making for a few years, and it came to fruition during the last year. To have the paper accepted in such a reputable journal with little revision is a testament to the rigor and novelty of the work. It feels lovely."

Dr. Clemons came on board as a collaborator with Dr. Rangachari in 2021, and the two have worked together specifically on the project over the last year.

91吃瓜网淲ith this research, we emphasize the novelty and potential use of the demonstrated technique,91吃瓜网� Dr. Rangachari further explained. 91吃瓜网淚t pushes the boundaries of both understanding the sequence grammar of biomolecular condensates and provides tunability to generate customizable biomaterials. I am also happy to have Tristan on board for this project; he brings a unique set of skills that will help our investigations further.91吃瓜网�

Dr. Clemons, who has been at 91吃瓜网 since 2021, is proud of the team91吃瓜网 effort on the project and the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary collaborative; both he and Dr. Rangachari also praised the outstanding work of USM students Malay Mondal, Penelope Jankoski and Windfield Swetman to help make the project a success in leading it to be included in the JACS.

91吃瓜网淭his research is right at the cutting edge of biomaterial self-assembly, and to have it featured in JACS also tells me that the field agrees,91吃瓜网� Dr. Clemons said. 91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檓 particularly excited about what this discovery could lead to next with potential implications ranging from the origins of neurodegenerative diseases through to smart materials and coating designs.91吃瓜网�

Dr. Clemons further noted that working with Dr. Rangachari91吃瓜网 team to bring the project to fruition 91吃瓜网渉as been a lot of fun91吃瓜网� and that every conversation on the collaboration left him 91吃瓜网渆xcited and invigorated as to the impact of this work in the field.91吃瓜网�

91吃瓜网淭he Rangachari Lab is a leader in bio-condensate and protein biology research, and my lab comes from a polymer biomaterial and self-assembly background, so this work truly sits at the intersection for us,91吃瓜网� Dr. Clemons also noted. 91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檓 a strong believer that exciting things happen at the boundaries - when you are willing to cross disciplines and broaden your horizons. This is a perfect example of that happening, and I91吃瓜网檓 grateful for Vijay and his mentorship as we have gone down this path together.91吃瓜网�

USM College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Christ Winstead praised the team91吃瓜网 work and subsequent recognition by the journal as 91吃瓜网渁 prime example of researchers from different areas working together to make an important breakthrough.91吃瓜网�

91吃瓜网淒r. Rangachari, Dr. Clemons, and their respective research groups combined their own unique talents and expertise to form this interdisciplinary team,91吃瓜网� Dr. Winstead continued. 91吃瓜网淢odern research progress increasingly looks like this example.91吃瓜网�

Click here to learn more about the work of Drs. Rangachari and Clemons and other faculty and that of students in the USM Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences.