Developing a Martini gold model for use in biological contexts

Author: Jahmal Ennis | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: The success of the Martini force field is largely due to its ability toreproduce experimental phenomena, its extensive library of biologicalmolecules, and the abundance of tools available to further developmodels of small molecules. However, many inorganic materialscannot be investigated in Martini because they have no directcorrespondence to… continue reading

Uncovering Photoperiodic Regulation Mechanisms in Neurospora crassa

Author: Aleece Siner | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: Organisms adapt to seasonal changes driven by Earth’s rotation around the sun, with photoperiod influencing their biological rhythms. While photoperiodism has been more extensively studied in plants, the mechanisms underlying seasonal responses in fungi remain largely unexplored. This study explores novel mechanisms and identifies genetic components involved… continue reading

Threading the Needle: Assessing the Genomic Health of the Critically Endangered Silver Boa

Author: L. Caden Comsa | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: The past century has been marked by the increasing effects of anthropogenic change, causing multiple threats to global biodiversity such as via reductions in many species’ population sizes and genetic health. As populations are driven to ever smaller sizes, the accumulation of genetic defects due to… continue reading

Understanding DNA Probe Translocation in Solid-State Nanopores

Author: Rahmah Mohammed Imthiyas | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: Solid-state nanopores provide a powerful platform for single-molecule sensing by detecting transient disruptions in ionic current as molecules translocate through nanoscale pores. In this study, we investigate the translocation behavior of a single-stranded DNA probe in a solid-state nanopore system and evaluate how key experimental parameters… continue reading

Clustering the ensemble of an intrinsically disordered protein by regions of contiguous hydrophobicity reveals distinguishable conformational states

Author: Lindsey Riggs | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) sample a broad distribution of conformational states rather than adopting a single conformation, representing the conformational ensemble. The lack of a defined structure makes it challenging to interpret how a missense mutation in the sequence of an IDP affects its ensemble. Current methods… continue reading

Designing an HPV-specific compartmental epidemiological model to examine HPV transmission, disease progression, and cancer outcomes across New Jersey counties.

Author: Zion Harris | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical and other anogenital cancers in the United States, with persistent disparities in incidence and mortality across socioeconomic, racial, and geographic groups. Unequal access to vaccination, screening, and preventive care contributes to sustained HPV-related cancer burden, particularly in… continue reading