Week of 1/30/17

Time for the interview! After working in the lab and placing our bacteria in the growth medium that we prepared last week, Yi and I sat down for a few minutes so that I could ask him some questions. Enjoy!

Interviewer: Molly Smullen, Senior at Emma Willard (M)

Interviewee: Yi Zhang – graduate PhD candidate at RPI (Y)

M: Yi, can you provide a short summary of the work you do at CBIS?

Y: I study protein folding with NMR fluorescence and Saxs under high pressure.

M: What does studying proteins entail?

Y: To study protein folding, you need to break the balance of proteins in the unfolded versus folded states to understand what propels the protein into its folded state. Whatever parameter you use to break this balance is called a denaturant. Common denaturants are chemicals (such as urea), pressure, or temperature. In my lab, we use high pressure as our denaturant, because we believe it is a softer denaturant, and targets protein structure locally. Only the cavity, where proteins are not perfectly packed, is targeted.

M: What are some different techniques for studying proteins?

Y: You should always use a wide range of biophysical methods for studying proteins because they each reveal something different. For example, Sexs provides information about the overall conformation of the protein, and informs you of overall change in protein shape. Fluorescence is also used to study the general form of proteins. NMR provides more detailed information because its resolution is resolved to the atomic residue. Therefore, you are provided with sequence-based information.

M: How did you become interested in this sort of work?

Y: I have always been interested in biology, since high school, or even middle school. It was very natural to take on this research path, and proteins are a hot topic right now. Also, the techniques you use in protein studies are widely used, so you are trained for many different areas when you study proteins.

M: What implications does your research have in the scientific community/the world?

Y: It’s always good to study protein folding mechanisms because proteins are the major functional components of our bodies. Drug design is also becoming more target-based on protein structures, so this research could provide some insight and guidelines for future drug design.

M: What are your future plans?

Y: I am planning on going to law school and becoming a patent lawyer.

M: Why did you open your doors for an intern?

Y: I am a student, so I know what such an extracurricular activity means to a student who is eager to learn an explore that interest. It is my pleasure and honor to help introduce students to their passions. My father and grandfather were also teachers, so it is good for me to share my knowledge with others, especially younger students.

M: Is there anything you would like to add?

Y: Good luck. When you go to college, you should definitely study, but don’t only study. Do some extracurricular activities, and not just academic ones. Be social, develop interpersonal skills. College is a great time for you to explore and grow into an adult. Study, but don’t be a nerd. Grow into your own person, and have fun!

M: Thanks, Yi. I really appreciate it.

Y: You are welcome.

Great meeting this week, and Yi really provided some valuable knowledge and insight. I can't wait to get back in the lab next week!