The Haglund Research Group
Department of Chemistry
Haglund Research Group
Dr. Ellinor Haglund
Dr. Ellinor Haglund joined the University of Hawaii (UH) in August 2018 as an assistant professor in chemistry. Her work is focused on a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro biophysical characterization of the folding and function of proteins with a so-called Pierced Lasso Topology (PLT). A PLT is a “knot-like” topology where a covalent loop is formed in the protein backbone and part of the amino acid chain threads through this region. More than 600 proteins with PLTs have been discovered to date, represented in all kingdoms of life. Interestingly, this topology can be made and broken depending on the chemical environment. Thus, PLTs may act as biological switches turning protein activity on/off.
Graduate Members
Jennifer Simien
Chemistry PhD
My research focuses on the folding and function of the human hormone leptin. Specifically, I will elucidate essential amino acids within leptin and the active leptin binding domain of the leptin receptor using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments combined with Cryo-EM. My work may provide an insight to how leptin folds in association with human health.
Grace Orellana
Chemistry PhD Canditate
Misfolding of proteins is a challenging field to explore due to the various mechanisms that are still being examined. Misfolding can occur from the unfolded, intermediate, or native state depending on the environmental conditions and the system. Proteins can misfold due to the chemical environment or mutations forming aggregation prone regions (APR), causing them to form amorphous aggregates and possibly amyloid fibers. APR can be predicted and analyzed by using a variety of methods such as computational design and experimental studies regarding induced aggregation. My research is involved in understanding the link between transient formation of oligomers and misfolding of proteins.
Ivy Vo
Chemistry PhD Student
My research focuses on Superoxide dismutase (SOD) from Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MtSOD) to understand the role of cofactors (Cu/Zn) and the Pierced Lasso Topology (PLT) in protein folding and function. This is crucial in understanding the mechanisms that allow MtSOD to suppress the host immune system. My long-range goal is to elucidate the biophysical properties and determine the evolutionary effect of the environment across organisms utilizing MtSOD in comparison with hSOD1.
David Budean
Chemistry PhD Student
My research focuses on the chemokine family of signaling proteins. We work towards understanding the structure and function of select CXC ligands through thermodynamic, kinetic and NMR experiments. We explore the formation of monomeric, homodimeric, and heterodimeric species that can activate the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) important in immune response.
Jitendra Pandey
Chemistry PhD Student
CCL chemokine ligands are small signaling proteins crucial for immune response regulation. They attract immune cells to sites of inflammation and infection, playing a vital role in coordinating immune system activity. The primary focus of my research revolves around biophysical characterization of CC ligands (especially CCL2, CCL8, CCL11, and CCL20) selected for CCR-2 receptor. We analyze wild types and mutated chemokines by using chemical kinetics, thermodynamic, NMR, and Cryo-EM techniques. I am also working on investigation of requisite amino acid sequence for ligand:receptor interaction and biological function of these chemokines.
Undergraduate Members
Anthony Ly
Anthony is a senior biochemistry major currently working on an undergraduate research opportunity project in the Haglund group.
Jared Sloan
Jared is pursuing a bachelor's in biology at UH Manoa. He is currently working on an undergraduate research project in the Haglund group.
Madison Olson
Madison is a senior biology major currently working on an undergraduate research opportunity project in the Haglund group.
Former Graduate Members
Patrick Martin
Patrick received his M.S in chemistry from UH Manoa in 2022. He helped establish the chemokine project in the Haglund group.
Former Members
Emily Kurth
Emily received her B.S in biochemistry from UH Manoa in 2022. She had multiple, undergraduate research opportunity program funded projects during her time in the Haglund group and helped establish the chemokine project. Currently, she works as a clinical research associate within the medical program at University of Hawaii.
Emma McRae
Emma received her B.S in biochemistry from UC Berkeley in 2022. She is currently pursuing her PhD in chemistry at the University of Indiana.
Kayla Osumi
Kayla received her B.S in biochemistry from UH Manoa in 2021. She had an undergraduate research opportunity program funded project on the expression and purification of superoxide dismutase in the Haglund group. She is currently pursuing her PhD in chemistry at UC Davis.
Julia Vo
Julia received her B.S in biochemistry from UH Manoa and is obtaining an optometrist degree at Optometry school at Marshall B. Ketchum University.
Alyssa-Jade Riglos
Alyssa received her B.S in biochemistry from UH Manoa in 2023. She is currently pursuing her PhD in chemistry at the University of Washington.
Shawn Meaney
Shawn is currently pursuing a bachelor's in biology at UH Manoa. He worked in the Haglund group during the 2022-23 school year.
Ivy Ammerman
Ivy received her B.S in biology from Hawaii Pacific University.
Selma Stafshede
Selma spent the 2020-21 school year as an exchange student at UH Manoa and is currently in law school in Sweden.
Hannah Osthaous
Hannah spent the 2022-23 school year as an exchange student at UH Manoa and is currently earning a bachelor's in biochemistry in Zurich, Switzerland.