Yuning Chen

1. Conduct basic research to verify or develop standard scientific principles, theories, and concepts under general supervision. 2. Make independent decisions on experimental design, result interpretation, as well as offer consultation on the application of scientific approaches for problem solving and trouble shooting. 3. Keep updated with the progression in scientific theory and technological advantages in the area of corresponding scientific expertises. 4. Communicate and coordinate research efforts within Creative Biolabs and other affiliated organizations. Interact with Engineers and Scientists worldwide in domain of expertise to promote the effort of research. 5. Promote teamwork, communication, and sharing of project information to promote the progression of research projects.

Affiliated with center for lignocellulose structure and formation, a DOE EFRC. Research projects: (1) Biological impacts of expansin on living maize tissue: living maize coleoptiles were incubated with expansin solutions and the cell separation impact caused by expansin was observed using TEM imaging and biochemical characterizations such as immunoglycan-profiling, monosaccharide composition analysis, FTIR… (2) Interaction of expansin with cell wall: the interaction between expansin and the cell wall was investigated by paramagnetic relaxation enhancement solid-state NMR using 13C labeled maize cell walls and Mn-conjugated expansin. The results of this innovated approach was confirmed by conventional binding analysis and isothermal titration calorimetry. (3) Localization of bacterial expansin functional sites on the cell wall: bacterial expansins were expressed using E.coli and conjugated with 5 nm gold particles. The localization of different bacterial expansins were then determined using FSEM.

1. Project wrap-up 2. Paper writing 3. Grant writing

Ph.D. study mainly focus on the complex chemical and biophysical nature of the plant cell wall glycoprotein extensins. Using a combination of site-directed mutagenesis, recombinant protein expression, proteomics, and advanced microscopic analysis, the self-assembly as well as cross-linked mechanism of the extensins were revealed. In the meantime, a hypothesis involving the role of extensin in primary cell wall genesis and development was proposed. Title of Ph.D. thesis: "Biochemical Characterization of Hydroxyproline-rich Glycoproteins in the Arabidopsis Root Cell Wall".

Learned the basic principles of biotechnology, especially recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization by enzymatic and other biochemical analysis