PhD Candidate, Department of Biochemistry
My name is Alexandra Bogner and I am a second year graduate student in the department of biochemistry. My research focuses on chemistry happening within the human body, specifically the proline cycle. This cycle is important for cell growth, regulating cell stress, and cancer cell metabolism. In this cycle, proteins convert a starting material into a product. When this cycle is unregulated and too much product is created, tumors can form through the multiplying of cancer cells. Proline dehydrogenase, the protein responsible for converting proline into pyrroline-5-carboxylate, is my current focus. This protein becomes overactive in certain cancers. One goal of my research is to discover compounds that inhibit proline dehydrogenase’s activity and thus reduce the size of tumors. Once inhibitors have been identified, mouse models will be used to develop potential cancer therapies.
Instagram: bogneral
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