The research being funded by the ADVANCE RA focuses on three topics:   (1) the incorporation of background knowledge in the form of abstraction hierarchies into Bayesian network learning; (2) solution diversity in multiattribute optimization; and (3) stable team formation in multi-agent systems.   These diverse projects all explore new ways to extend traditional AI methods into richer environments.

For more information about Dr. desJardins' research, please visit: http://www.umbc.edu/engineering/csee/faculty/desjardins.html

The long-term goal of the ADVANCE funded research is to develop a computational methodology to model structural dynamics (e.g. unfolding) of nucleic acid systems (RNA, DNA and PNA), as measured by small angle neutron scattering techniques.   In order to accomplish this goal, the laboratory has developed a method to interpret small angle neutron scattering data of nucleic acids, based on prior high-resolution structural data (e.g. x-ray diffraction structures).   Previous to this work, there was no reliable computational method to calculate the neutron scattering profiles of high-resolution nucleic acid structures, folded or unfolded.   However, recent advances in the technique of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments for biological samples make such a calculation imperative.   The work of Dr. Gregurick’s laboratory now focuses on:

(1)  Development of a SANS specific computational method for the determination of high resolution structures: We will develop a methodology to calculate the scattering profiles of high resolution nucleic acids structures, in solution.

(2)  SANS Analysis of Molecular Dynamics Trajectory Data on a DNA duplex structure: With the methodology developed in our group, we will run and analyze molecular dynamics trajectories in order to determine the structure of a DNA dodecamer in solution, in varying salt concentrations.   Our work will be compared with experimental small angle neutron scattering data.

For more information about Dr. Gregurick’s research, please visit:
http://www.umbc.edu/chem-biochem/faculty/gregurick/skg.html.

The ADVANCE-funded research in Dr. Kelly’s lab is aimed at developing new, fluorescent polymers that very accurately measure the temperature of any object they are coated on or environment they are in.   Commercially available polyacrylamide derivatives are co-polymerized with functionalized perylene derivatives and electron donors.   When irradiated with blue light, the polymers exhibit fluorescence both from the perylene (monomer) and an excited state complex (exciplex) formed with the amine electron donors.    The ratio of intensities from the two emitting species is quantified and correlated with temperature.    The polymer composition and thermal properties are obtained using NMR and calorimetry, respectively.    Simultaneously, time-resolved and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopies are used to understand the physical basis of the temperature response.   From the combined results, we are developing a detailed understanding of how the temperature-dependent monomer-exciplex equilibrium is controlled by polymer composition and properties.     These polymers will provide new tools in medical and engineering applications, including temperature measurement during invasive surgery and remote temperature measurements in “hostile” environments.

For more information about Dr. Kelly’s research, please visit:
http://www.umbc.edu/chem-biochem/faculty/kelly/lk.html

Dr. Komlodi’s research focuses on learning about users' information-seeking behavior and, based on this knowledge, designing user interfaces for information systems.   Her research interests include:

• Human-computer interaction
• Interfaces for information storage and retrieval systems
• International user interface design
• International aspects of information seeking
• Information visualization

For more information on Dr. Komlodi’s research please visit:
http//www.research.umbc.edu/%&Ekomlodi/.

One of the most important processes that take place during the development of complex organisms is the formation, or differentiation, of multiple specialized cell types.   My laboratory investigates this process, using the simple multicellular green alga Volvox carteri as a model.   Volvox possesses ~2000 cells but just two cell types: large reproductive cells called gonidia, and small motile cells called somatic cells.   Currently we are most interested in identifying and analyzing the genes (and their products) that are required to make gonidia.   To this end we previously isolated a gene, called glsA (for gonididia les s) that is essential for the production of gonidia.   glsA encodes a protein (GlsA) that is closely related to human, rat, and mouse proteins whose accumulation are positively correlated with cell proliferation and cancer.   Recently we obtained evidence that GlsA interacts with a protein named DP, which is a positive regulator of cell proliferation and a member of the retinoblastoma protein cell cycle regulation pathway.   This pathway has been linked to nearly every kind of human tumor characterized to date.    The ADVANCE RA awarded to my lab will fund a study that will test the validity of the GlsA-DP interaction, and further characterize the role of GlsA (and potentially DP) in controlling the formation of reproductive/proliferative cells in Volvox.   It is hoped that these studies will provide insights into the manner in which cell proliferation is controlled in more complex organisms, as well.

For more information about Dr. Miller’s research, please visit:
http://www.umbc.edu/biosci/Faculty/miller.html

The aim of my research is to understand how information in the environment is transformed into an appropriate biological signal. I study this problem of signal transduction in photoreceptors for they are accessible to a variety of techniques, providing a system in which it is possible to interface the approaches of biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology. One interest of my laboratory is to elucidate the mechanisms of activation and deactivation of vertebrate visual pigments. Our approach is to use the tools of molecular biology in concert with in vitro biochemistry to explore the details of these mechanisms. A second interest of my laboratory is the study of melanopsin, a novel opsin-like protein expressed in some of the retinal ganglion cells that project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Many aspects of mammalian physiology and behavior exhibit a daily 24-hour rhythm. These daily oscillations are circadian rhythms and are controlled by a brain structure known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The mammalian circadian clock is constantly being reset by the onset of environmental light. Light entrainment of the clock requires input from the retina, which communicates with the SCN via the axonal projections of a small subset of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Melanopsin has been proposed to be the elusive circadian photopigment.

For more information about Dr. Robinson’s research, please visit:
http://www.umbc.edu/biosci/Faculty/robinson.html