Physical Chemistry Seminar: Professor Jean Chung, Colorado State University
About the Seminar
Lipid Membrane Structure in Catalysis and Reactivity
The cellular membrane not only defines the boundary of the cell, but also mediates the communication with the environment and organizes vital processes in space and time. In the inflammation process, liberating polyunsaturated fatty acids from phospholipids. The fatty acids are then oxidized by lipoxygenase, which leads to the overall oxidation of the membrane that underlies aging and a host of diseases. Here, we explore how the structural integrity of the cell membrane is linked to both the hydrolysis of phospholipids by phospholipase A2 and lipid peroxidation by lipoxygenase. We use model membrane systems, such as lipid vesicles and supported lipid bilayers combined with fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging to investigate the reactions involved in membrane breakdown.
About the Speaker
Jean Chung obtained B.S. chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington, then Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Stanford University. For doctoral research, she studied ultrafast dynamics of proteins with nonlinear infrared spectroscopy under Professor Michael Fayer. Afterwards, she conducted postdoctoral research with Professor Jay Groves University of California, Berkeley. She began her independent research career at Colorado State University in 2019. Her research focuses on elucidating molecular mechanisms of biochemical signaling reactions occurring at membranes, such as signaling protein assembly and lipid modifications. She is a recipient of NIH MIRA and NSF CAREER awards.