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Category Archives: Biochemistry

New Details Revealed on How Plants Maintain a Healthy Sperm-Egg Ratio – UMass News and Media Relations

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AMHERST, Mass. Current molecular biochemistry, microscopy and genetic techniques have become so powerful that scientists can now make mechanistic discoveries supported by multiple lines of evidence about intimate processes in plant reproduction that once were very difficult to examine, says molecular biologist Alice Cheung at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

She is the senior author of a new paper in Nature describing how she and her team used such tools to solve, in unprecedented detail, the mechanisms of how flowering plants avoid polyspermy. As the name suggests, polyspermy results from multiple sperm entering and fertilizing an egg, a condition harmful to the zygote. In plants, preventing polyspermy also means higher chances for more females to be fertilized and ensures better seed yields, both of which are agriculturally important, Cheung points out.

For years, she and her long-time collaborator Hen-Ming Wu have led a team that includes a former postdoctoral associate, Qiaohong Duan, a current postdoc Ming-Che (James) Liu, and several graduate students in investigating FERONIAs dual roles in reproduction. For the current paper Duan and Liu are co-first authors.

Cheung says, It is very exciting to be able to explain how in multiple steps a plant creates an environment in its ovule, where the egg cell is located, that is first receptive to an incoming pollen tube to deliver sperm, but once fertilization is ensured it will instantly switch to block more pollen tubes from approaching to guard against polyspermy. These two acts are controlled by a gene called FERONIA, she adds, which encodes the FERONIA receptor kinase that senses signals on the cell surface and instructs the cell to respond appropriately.

Cheung says one of the key discoveries in their latest work is FERONIAs role in the cell wall and, in particular, its ability to interact with pectin, a sugar polymer in the wall. As conditions vary, one form of this polymer, called de-esterified pectin, can maintain a malleable wall, for example, so the first pollen tube arriving at the egg chamber inside the ovule can penetrate. But this pectin can also abruptly harden after the first pollen tube has penetrated, blocking more from entering.

This special pectin also triggers other activity, they discovered. Cheung and colleagues say they observed for the first time that de-esterified pectin serves as a signal to trigger an environment enriched in nitric oxide (NO) at the entrance to the egg chamber. In a series of bioassays, molecular interaction and biochemical analyses, they show that this gaseous signaling molecule modifies and de-activates a chemoattractant produced by the female to guide pollen tubes to their target. This quick change insures that late-arriving pollen tubes cannot approach an already fertilized ovule.

Cheung explains, As a gas, NO can diffuse very quickly, maybe even instantly as it is produced. The title of our paper, FERONIA controls pectin- and nitric oxide-mediated male-female interaction captures how our latest work connects these two FERONIA- controlled conditions. What led us to our findings is that without FERONIA, the cell wall is deficient in de-esterified pectin, but with FERONIA present, the wall works both as a source of signal molecules to trigger NO and also a physical barrier.

The molecular biologist says that because of its almost global importance to plant survival that her group and others have demonstrated, there are now likely dozens of labs around the world from plant stress physiologists to molecular structural biologists pursuing different aspects of FERONIA and its related proteins. Cheung says some of these proteins function together in very intriguing ways, so there is immense potential for advances in plant biology and fundamental signal transduction mechanisms from this very active field.

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New Details Revealed on How Plants Maintain a Healthy Sperm-Egg Ratio - UMass News and Media Relations

Biochemistry | Middle Tennessee State University

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Degree Information Ph.D., Monash University (1987) B.S., Monash University (1983)

Investigation of the influence of yeast enzymes on wine composition and the transformation of anthocyanins during wine aging

Determining the relationships of wine and non-wine yeast strains by DNA sequence analysis of the rDNA genes and interspacer regions

Comparison of the fermentation by-products of wine and non-wine yeast

Study the effects of different isomeric forms of 2,3-butanediol on the quality of wine

Study the inhibitory effects of xylitol and other polyols on the growth of cavities causing bacteria, Streptococcus mutans

Development of methods for the analysis of yeast metabolites produced by the transformation of phenanthrene

Studying the effects of glucose on the yield of xylitol produced from biomass-derived products by yeast Biography Publications BB. G. Ooi. "Application of Commercial and Web-Based Software Programs for DNA Sequence Analysis in Undergraduate Biochemistry Laboratory";. Chem. Educator, 10, 1-4, 2005.

Ngee-Sing Chong, Omobola Oladipupo, Vichuda Hunter, Beng-Guat Ooi. "Application of the AMDIS Mass Spectral Deconvolution Algorithm for the Characterization of Cigarette Smoke";. Proceedings of the 52nd ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, ThPD 059 (July 23, 2004).

B. G. Ooi. "DNA Amplification by PCR and Analysis by Gel Electrophoresis - An Undergraduate Biochemistry Experiment";. Chem. Educator, 9, 97-101, 2004.

B. G. Ooi, A. M. Mulisa, H. Y. Kim, & N. S. Chong. "Methods development for the detection of trace metabolites from biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by yeast";. J. Tenn. Acad. Sci., 78 (3), 65-75, 2003.

B. G. Ooi, T. T. B. Le, & B. M. Markuszewski. "The effects of glucose on the yeast conversion of xylose into xylitol by C. guilliermondii and C. tropicalis";. Elec. J. Env. Agri. Food Chem., 1(3), 2002.

B. G. Ooi & L. K. Miller. "The Influence of antisense RNA on transcription mapping of the 5' terminus of a baculovirus RNA";. Journal of General Virology, 72, 527- 534 (1991).

X. Wang, B. G. Ooi & L. K. Miller. "Baculovirus vectors for multiple gene expression and for occluded virus production". Gene, 100, 131-137 (1991).

J. R. Lupski, Y. H. Zhang, M. Rieger, M. Minter, B. Hsu, B. G. Ooi, T. Koeuth & E. R. B. McCabe. "Mutational analysis of the Escherichia coli glpFK region with Tn5 mutagenesis and the polymerase chain reaction". Journal of Bacteriology, 172, 6129-6134 (1990).

B. G. Ooi & L. K. Miller. "Transcription of the Baculovirus polyhedrin gene reduces the levels of an antisense transcription initiated downstream". Journal of Virology, 64, 3126-3129 (1990).

B. G. Ooi, C. Rankin & L. K. Miller. "Downstream sequence augment transcription from the essential initiation site of a baculovirus polyhedrin gene". Journal of Molecular Biology, 210, 721-736 (1989).

C. Rankin, B. G. Ooi & L. K. Miller. "Eight base pairs encompassing the transcription start point are the major determinant for baculovirus polyhedrin gene expression". Gene, 70, 39-49 (1988).

B. G. Ooi & L. K. Miller. "Regulation of host RNA levels during baculovirus infection". Virology, 166, 515-523 (1988).

B. G. Ooi, H. B. Lukins, A. W. Linnane & P. Nagley. "Biogenesis of mitochondrial 66. A mutation in the 5'-untranslated region of yeast mitochondrial oli1 mRNA leading to impairment in translation of subunit 9 of the mitochondrial ATPase complex". Nucleic Acids Research, 15, 1965-1977 (1987).

B. G. Ooi & P. Nagley. "The oli gene and flanking sequences in mitochondrial DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: The complete nucleotide sequence of a 1.35 kilobase petite mitochondrial DNA genome covering the oli1 gene". Current Genetics, 10, 713-723 (1986).

P. Nagley, R. M. Hall & B. G. Ooi. "Amino acid substitutions in mitochondrial ATPase subunit 9 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae leading to oligomycin or venturicidin resistance". FEBS Letters, 195, 159-163 (1986).

A. W. Linnane, H. B. Lukins, P. Nagley, S. Marzuki, R. G. Hadikusumo, M. J. B. Jean-Francois, U. P. John, B. G. Ooi, L. C. Watkins, T. A. Willson, J. Wright & S. Meltzer. "Assembly of the yeast mitochondrial H+-ATPase: correlative studies involving gene sequencing and immunochemical probes of assembly". In Achievements and Perspectives in Mitochondrial Research, Volume I: Bioenergetics, (F. Palmieri, ed.), Elsevier/ North Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, 211-222 (1985).

B. G. Ooi, C. E. Novitski & P. Nagley. "DNA sequence analysis of the oli1 gene reveals amino acid changes in mitochondrial ATPase subunit 9 from oligomycin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae". European Journal of Biochemistry, 152, 709-714 (1985).

B. G. Ooi, G. L. McMullen, A. W. Linnane, P. Nagley & C. E. Novitski. "Biogenesis of mitochondrial 62. DNA sequence analysis of mit- mutations in the mitochondrial oli1 gene coding for mitochondrial ATPase subunit 9 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae". Nucleic Acids Research, 13, 1327-1339 (1985).

I. G. Macreadie, C. E. Novitski, R. J. Maxwell, U. John, B. G. Ooi, G. L. McMullen, H.B. Lukins, A. W. Linnane & P. Nagley. "Biogenesis of mitochondrial 59. The mitochondrial ATPase subunit 8 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae". Nucleic Acids Research, 11, 4435-4451 (1983).

Presentations Rachel E. Thornell and Beng Guat Ooi. "The Sugar that Exhibits Dental Health Benefits"; The 11 th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium of the College of Basic And Applied Sciences. (April 15, 2005)

S. B. Naquin, Z. T. Frensley, N. S. Chong & B. G. Ooi. "A Study of Bidi Cigarette Smoke on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97a and TA98"; SCHOLAR'S DAY 2004: A University-Wide Showcase of Research, Scholarship, Creativity, and Public Service. (October 22, 2004)

Ngee-Sing Chong, Omobola Oladipupo, Vichuda Hunter, Beng-Guat Ooi. "Application of the AMDIS Mass Spectral Deconvolution Algorithm for the Characterization of Cigarette Smoke"; 52nd American Society of Mass Spectrometry Conference in Nashville, TN (May 27, 2004)

Rachel E. Thornell and Beng Guat Ooi. "The Sugar that Exhibits Dental Health Benefits"; The Golden Goggle Lecture & Research Open House (April 27, 2004)

S. B. Naquin, Z. T. Frensley, N. S. Chong & B. G. Ooi. "A Study of Bidi Cigarette Smoke on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97a and TA98";, 2003 Southeast Regional ACS meeting in Atlanta, GA (November 16-19, 2003)

S. B. Naquin, Z. T. Frensley, N. S. Chong & B. G. Ooi. "A Study of Bidi Cigarette Smoke on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97a and TA98";, Tennessee Academy of Science 113th meeting in conjuction with the Tennessee Science Teachers Association in Flanklin, TN (November 13-15, 2003)

B. G. Ooi, T. T. B Le., & B. M. Markuszewski. "The effects of glucose on the yeast conversion of xylose into xylitol by C. guilliermondii and C. tropicalis";, The University-wide showcase for Faculty Research and Creativity (May 2, 2003)

B. G. Ooi, T. T. B Le., & B. M. Markuszewski. "The effects of glucose on the yeast conversion of xylose into xylitol by C. guilliermondii and C. tropicalis";, The Golden Goggle Lecture & Research Open House (April 24, 2003)

B. G. Ooi, T. T. B Le., & B. M. Markuszewski. "The effects of glucose on the yeast conversion of xylose into xylitol by C. guilliermondii and C. tropicalis";, Pittsburgh Conference (March, 2003)

N. S. Chong, H. Y. Kim, A. M. Mulisa, and B. G. Ooi, "Methods Development for the Detection of Trace Metabolites from the Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Yeasts";, Pittsburgh Conference (March, 2003)

H. Y. Kim, N.S. Chong, and B.G. Ooi. "Methods Development for the Detection of Trace Metabolites from the Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Yeasts";. Third MTSU University-wide Faculty Research Symposium, (April 25, 2002)

B. M. Bednarz and B.G. Ooi. " Relationships between Wine and Non-Wine Yeast Strains Based on Restriction Enzyme Analyses of Genomic and mtDNA";. The Golden Goggle Lecture & Research Open House (April 16, 2002)

H. Y. Kim, N.S. Chong, and B.G. Ooi. "Methods Development for the Detection of Trace Metabolites from the Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Yeasts";. Second Joint Meeting of Tennessee Academy of Science and the Kentucky Academy of Science, (November 8-10, 2001).

A. M. Mulisa, B.G. Ooi & N. S. Chong. "Chromatographic Characterization of Metabolites from the Biotransformation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by C. tropicalis CP1-1";. The Second MTSU University-wide Faculty Research Symposium, (April 25, 2001).

B. M. Bednarz & B.G. Ooi. "Comparative Studies of Wine Composition Produced by Different Yeast Strains";. The Golden Goggles Lecture/ Research Open House, (April 23, 2001). Poster was selected for first prize.

B. G. Ooi, N.S. Chong, and A.M. Mulisa. "Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Yeasts";. The Golden Goggles Lecture/Research Open House, (April 23, 2001).

B. M. Bednarz & B.G. Ooi. "Comparative Studies of Wine Composition Produced by Different Yeast Strains";. The Sixth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, (April 12, 2001).

A. M. Mulisa, B.G. Ooi & N. S. Chong. "Chromatographic Characterization of Metabolites from the Biotransformation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by C. tropicalis";. Pittsburgh Conference, (March, 2001).

Dissertation/Thesis Master of Science Thesis entitled "Methods Development for Dectection of Trace Metabolites from the Biotransformation of Phenanthrene by Candida tropicalis 96745 CP1-1". Alex M. Mulisa

Professional Organization Memberships Tennessee Academy of Science

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Biochemistry | Middle Tennessee State University

MBB Curriculum – Biochemistry

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Learning Goals for the MBB Major:

1. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge that is needed to begin biomedical research and that is required for post-graduate exams and studies.

2. Students should demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate information about specific biological systems or problems.

3. Students should demonstrate the ability to design experiments and critically analyze data.

4. Students should demonstrate the ability to communicate their research and findings orally through seminar and poster presentations and through written research papers.

This is the basic core curriculum that is required for all majors in the Division of Life Scienes.

119:115, 119:116, and 119:117

160:161 and 160:162 - or - 160:163 and 160:164

640:151-152 - or - 640:135,138

160:309 - or - 160:311

MBB students must choose between one of two course options for the major.

Course Option I is for students with a strong background in math and that may be pursuing research and graduate work in the physical biosciences. This course option requires a year of Physical Chemistry courses offered by the Chemistry Department. A prerequisite for Physical Chemistry is Multi-variable Calculus. Students taking this option with 12 credits or more of research are required to take one MBB elective. Students with less than 12 credits of research are required to take two MBB electives in addition to the Physical Chemistry and Calculus courses. Note: Students taking course Option I fulfill the requirements for a Minor degree in Chemistry.

Course Option II is for students with broad interests in molecular biology and biochemistry. Students taking this option with 12 credits or more of research are required to take three MBB electives. Students with less than 12 credits of research are required to take four MBB electives.

All MBB students are required to perform an independent research project under the direction of a faculty advisor. Students may choose to work with faculty member from any of a number of RutgersSAS, SEBS, or Medical School departments. Registration in research courses is by special permission only. Students must fill out aSpecial Permission Form for Undergraduate Researchand have it signed by their research advisor and MBB academic advisor before they can get a special permission number from the MBB Department Undergraduate Secretary, Shalene Montgomery. Research is required in the senior year, but students are strongly encouraged to start their research in their sophomore and junior years and during the summers if possible. All students doing research must submit a paper to the department office describing the work done, before credit will be given.

Lab Option I: Students need a total of 12 or more credits of research.

Lab Option II: Students need only 6 credits of research and must take an another MBB elective in addition to the required MBB elective for Course Option I (Calc. III, Physical Chemistry, and a MBB elective) or the three electives required for Course Option II (3 MBB electives or 2 MBB electives and a DLS elective).

Non-Lab Option:Non-lab students must take Literature Research in MBB (694:489/490) for6 credits.

The number of electives required for the different combination of the Course and Lab Options is shown below.

Course Option II (MBB electives)

Lab Option I (12 or more research credits)

1 MBB Elective

2 MBB Electives and 1 MBB or DLS Elective

Lab Option II (6-11 research credits)

2 MBB Electives

3 MBB Electives and 1 MBB or DLS Elective

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MBB Curriculum - Biochemistry


  1. Biochemistry