Medical College of Wisconsin School of Graduate Studies U1-Research 2F Microscope Lab-Grad-hero
Samantha Kohn

Samantha Gies

Graduate Student

Locations

  • Biophysics

Contact Information

Biography

Mentor: Jimmy Feix, PhD
Year Entered MCW: 2014
Previous Education: BS, Chemistry, Carroll University, 2013

Research Interests

The Feix lab focuses on the structure, conformational dynamics, and membrane interactions of ExoU, a key virulence factor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is strongly correlated with a poor clinical outcome. ExoU is a 74 kDa phospholipase that requires noncovalent interaction with ubiquitin for activity. Membrane binding of ExoU is enhanced by the phospholipid inositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate; however, the liposome binding mechanism, the liposome binding domain(s), and the role of ubiquitin in liposome binding remain unknown. We are investigating these molecular processes using a combination of biochemical and biophysical methods.