Student: Ali Goldensoph, Undergraduate Student in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (BCMB), Drake University
Research Mentor: Dr. Abebe Mengesha
Development of Remote-Controlled Compound MP Nanoparticles for Space Exploration
Radiation-induced DNA damage demands recognition as the ultimate insult to cosmonauts’ genetic material. Recently, we have identified a novel nuclear matrix metalloprotease (nMMP) activity possibly associated with DNA repair related to ‘Sample M’. In an effort to improve upon Sample M, we describe the optimization of nanoparticle encapsulation for the purified sample known as Compound MP. Nanoparticles are widely known drug delivery systems for improving pon a compound’s stability and allowing for widened functionality (de Alcantara Lemos et al., 2021). As a comparative measure, this protocol will be examined with existing commercial pharmaceutical agents Epinephrine and Nifedipine. Upon successful nanoparticle encapsulation, Compound MP will be examined further for relative DNA repair functionality.