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Faculty
Robert D. Renthal, Ph.D. Research Interests 1) Insect sensory reception: How is information stored and transferred by social insects? Ant colonies are considered to be prime examples of "self-organizing" systems. We are testing this idea by examining the mechanisms of pheromone signalling by ants, using methods ranging from proteomic analysis and electron microscopy of ant brains to studies of whole colony behavior. 2) Cell membrane assembly: How are integral membrane proteins assembled in lipid bilayers? Using biophysical and genetic methods, we are studying the steps involved in association and folding of model transmembrane peptides and integral membrane proteins. Recent Publications Renthal R. An unfolding story of helical transmembrane proteins. Biochemistry. 2006 Dec 12;45(49):14559-66. Valluru N, Silva F, Dhage M, Rodriguez G, Alloor SR, Renthal R. Transmembrane helix-helix association: relative stabilities at low pH. Biochemistry. 2006 Apr 11;45(14):4371-7. Daum LT, Shaw MW, Klimov AI, Canas LC, Macias EA, Niemeyer D, Chambers JP, Renthal R, Shrestha SK, Acharya RP, Huzdar SP, Rimal N, Myint KS, Gould P. Influenza A (H3N2) outbreak, Nepal. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Aug;11(8):1186-91. Guntur KV, Velasquez D, Chadwell L, Carroll C, Weintraub S, Cassill JA, Renthal R. Apolipophorin-III-like protein expressed in the antenna of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Arch Insect Biochem Physiol. 2004 Nov;57(3):101-10. Nannepaga SJ, Gawalapu R, Velasquez D, Renthal R. Estimation of helix-helix association free energy from partial unfolding of bacterioopsin. Biochemistry. 2004 Jan 20;43(2):550-9. Renthal R, Velasquez D, Olmos D, Hampton J, Wergin WP. Structure and distribution of antennal sensilla of the red imported fire ant. Micron. 2003;34(8):405-13. Renthal R, Velasquez D. Self-association of helical peptides in a lipid environment. J Protein Chem. 2002 May;21(4):255-64. Renthal R, Gracia N, Regalado R. Water and carboxyl group environments in the dehydration blueshift of bacteriorhodopsin. Photochem Photobiol. 2000 Nov;72(5):714-8.
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