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Wuttke, Deborah S

Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • One goal of my lab is to define the mechanism by which telomeres mediate chromosomal end protection and telomerase action using structural, biochemical and cellular tools. Understanding the mechanism of telomere maintenance is important in understanding the complex biological processes of cancer and aging. Our work encompasses detailed characterization of the proteins that bind the conserved single-stranded overhang at telomeres to understand both how their unique affinities and specificities are achieved as well as the biological roles for these activities. A second goal of my lab is to understand the protein interactions that mediate the activities of long non-coding RNAs and non-standard protein/RNA interactions. We have discovered a new role for transcriptional factors that bind RNA as well as DNA. The specificity of RNA binding and its role in cells is a current focus of the lab.

keywords

  • structural biology, telomere and telomerase, ssDNA, protein, long non-coding RNA and non-canonical protein, RNA interactions, transcription/RNA, molecular recognition

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • BCHM 4761 - Biochemistry Laboratory
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019
    Two 4-hour periods per week. Introduction to modern biochemical techniques. Topics include enzymology, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, multi-step protein purification, recombinant DNA techniques and molecular cloning. Formerly CHEM 4761.
  • BCHM 5770 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry I
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
    Introduction to conducting research in Biochemistry, including covering foundational topics in Biochemistry that include concepts such as protein structure and function, experimental approaches to study biochemical processes, and analysis and interpretation of data. Topics will be taught through the perspective of the scientific literature with an emphasis on critical analysis of research. Additional subject areas will include discussions of aspects of conducting biochemical research in academic and industrial settings. Intended for entering Biochemistry graduate students. Formerly CHEM 5770.
  • BCHM 5781 - Advanced General Biochemistry 2
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
    Detailed consideration of contemporary topics in biochemistry. Formerly CHEM 5781.
  • BCHM 5801 - Advanced Signal Transduction and Cell Cycle Regulation
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2022
    Lect. Advanced discussion of current research and literature in signal transduction, including ligands, receptors, and intracellular signaling pathways, as well as control on transcription, chromatin structure, DNA replication, mitosis, and cell cycle progression. Recommended prerequisites: CHEM 5771 and CHEM 5781 and MCDB 5210 or MCDB 5220. Formerly CHEM 5801.
  • BCHM 6601 - Biochemistry Seminar
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
    Restricted to and required for all currently funded NIH/CU Biophysics trainees and current NIH/CU Biophysics affiliates. Credit is deferred until presentation of satisfactory seminar. Formerly CHEM 6601.
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