I am a graduate student working between the labs of Drs. Peipei Ping and Jeff Abramson. My research interests focus on the structure-function studies of the outer mitochondrial membrane protein called the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), also known as eukaryotic porin. VDAC is believed to play an important role in mediating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The current approach is purifying the recombinant VDAC protein, biophysical characterization using far-UV CD spectroscopy, functional studies using single channel conductance measurements and structural studies using X-ray crystallography.
email: rujwal@mednet.ucla.edu