The INSIDER - Fall 2020

Campus Research Enhanced with Grant Award

Texas College has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program to begin research on campus utilizing molecular dynamics. Totaling an amount of $149,494, the project will be spearheaded by Professor of Biology and Physics Alexei Iakhiaev, PhD, who will serve as the principal investigator. Dr. Iakhiaev brings a wealth of value to the study with a multitude of publications and extensive experience as a biomedical researcher.

The grant is slated to study the protein Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), which is found on the inner surface of blood vessels. This specific protein of interest is involved in anticoagulant mechanisms that serve a vital role in maintaining blood flow and the prevention of blood clotting. Using molecular dynamics, a method that utilizes computer simulation for analyzing the physical movements of atoms and molecules, and homology modeling, which constructs an atomic-resolution model of the target protein from its amino acid sequence, the study will examine structural changes of EPCR at an atomic level. Throughout the study, Dr. Iakhiaev and a team of students aim to conduct EPCR structure based virtual screening of up to 1 million drug-like molecules and select those able to bind to EPCR. In collaboration with a laboratory led by Vijaya Lella (Rao), PhD, at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, the team will investigate how newly identified molecules will affect regulation of the EPCR functions in cells. Dr. Iakhiaev’s receipt of this award also serves to increase the research capacity at Texas College across all disciplines. Dr. Iakhiaev anticipates this grant to serve as an initial project that will provide and enhance research experiences for undergraduate students in the sciences, as well as transcend to interdisciplinary research activities. Alexei Iakhiaev, PhD, was recently awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Iakhiaev teaches a course in one of the MSBC laboratories.

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The INSIDER │ Volume 15 │ Fall 2020