Students present project for Summer Undergraduate Research meeting at Campbellsville University

by Scarlett Birge, student news writer, Office of University Communications

Campbellsville, KY (09/30/2021) — Under the supervision of Dr. Indra D. Sahu, assistant professor of physics at Campbellsville University, several students at the university were able to develop and present a membrane protein research project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, Kentucky Academy of Science Summer Undergraduate Award and an ACA Ledford Scholarship Award.

Matthew Scheyer, a senior of Knifley, Ky.; Conner Campbell, a 2020 graduate of Garfield, Ky.; Patrick Logan Williams, a junior of Columbia, Ky.; Aliyah Sharde Wilson-Taylor, a senior of Owensboro, Ky.; Isaac Kwaku Asare, a sophomore, of Accra, Ghana; and Peyton Dabney, a senior at Campbellsville High School dual, presented the project at the Summer Undergraduate Research meeting at the Natural Science Division of Campbellsville University recently.

Other students William David Carbo, a senior of Southlake, Texas; Mustakim Hussain, and Afsana Begum, both juniors of Bangladesh; and Nima H. Patel, a recent graduate of Marion County High School and former dual credit CU student, also worked on the research project.

"This study will provide an opportunity for CU undergraduate students to become involved in groundbreaking membrane protein research in experimental and computational biophysics," Sahu said.

The project focused on a single transmembrane protein known as KCNE3. Students studied several aspects of structural and dynamic properties of KCNE3 in various membrane environments by applying experimental molecular biology and biophysical techniques.

"This research contributes toward a fundamental structure-function understanding of KCNE3 in the presence and absence of diseases causing mutation," Sahu said.

The study revealed more information on the disease-causing mutations linked to KCNE3, such as Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), cystic fibrosis and tinnitus.

"This research has developed infrastructures that will enhance the undergraduate teaching and research quality at Campbellsville University," said Sahu.

A portion of the research presentation can be viewed through Zoom at https://zoom.us/rec/share/1IUqKeZEJ0qS51-KZ_19HmYM2WDT8H3zm_vfZaehf7ZLBlkgruk0Hg5YdnDelEE.p6fl8f8eHrSX8bxw

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.