On Wednesday, November 1, Mona Minkara, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Northeastern University, delivered two lectures at Harvard CCB sponspored by HWIC+.
Dr. Minkara’s research at Northeastern focuses on using computational methods to study biological interfaces at the atomic and molecular scale. Currently, her research group uses molecular dynamics simulations, molecular docking calculations, homology modeling, and Monte Carlo simulations to investigate pulmonary surfactant, the complex protein-lipid substance that lines the alveoli in the lungs. Recently, the group has also been using their computational techniques to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
The abstract of her first lecture, a DEI talk entitled "Building the COMBINE Lab: Breaking Barriers as a Blind Chemist" is below:
"Mona Minkara, an assistant professor of Bioengineering at Northeastern University, shares her experience building the Minkara Computational Modeling for BioInterface Engineering (COMBINE) Laboratory. The lab combines diverse perspectives to solve scientific problems, particularly in the study of pulmonary surfactant (PS), a vital substance in the respiratory system. PS research is essential in developing new approaches and treatments for diseases spread through the lungs. As a blind chemist, Mona overcame challenges and internalized ableism to see her blindness as an asset in the lab's work. She emphasizes the importance of combining diverse perspectives in science to solve new problems and advocates for disability inclusion in STEM. Mona's story challenges us to reflect on our biases and recognize the importance of creating inclusive spaces and striving for equitable opportunities for all. Throughout her academic journey, Mona faced various challenges, including obtaining necessary accommodations for her education and finding a graduate school that provided the support she needed. Her postdoctoral mentor played a significant role in helping her overcome internalized ableism to see her blindness as an unseen advantage. Mona's story asks us to reflect on how we can work together to break down barriers and there’s still barriers to be broken – we still need to make the results of scientific research and its literature accessible to all people."
The abstract of her second lecture, a research talk entitled "Computational Insights into Surfactant Protein Dynamics: Binding Mechanisms, Mutations, and Environmental Impact" is below:
"This presentation highlights research in the Minkara COMBINE Lab on Surfactant Proteins B (SPB) and D (SP-D), crucial to pulmonary function and immune defense, respectively. We delve into the dynamic structural characteristics of SP-B, vital for lipid restructuring in respiratory function. By leveraging comparative modeling with Saposin-family proteins and conducting molecular dynamics simulations (over 500 ns), we have elucidated the conformational stability and solvent interactions of SP-B in diverse alveolar conditions. Our results reveal significant insights into SPB’s response to hydrophilic and hydrophobic environments, offering new understanding of its structural-functional relationships. Concurrently, our study on SP-D, particularly its antiviral mechanisms against Influenza A Virus, utilized microsecond-scale molecular dynamics, free energy perturbation, and quantum mechanics to explore the enhanced antiviral properties of its double mutant variant (Asp325Ala and Arg343Val). Employing trimannose models and a range of glycan binding poses, we provide a molecular basis for this increased efficacy, paving the way for designing optimized SP-D variants. Collectively, our work offers insights into the biophysical aspects of surfactant proteins, with potential implications for developing novel therapies for pulmonary diseases and enhancing viral pathogen defenses."
Pictures of the lecture are being added and updated:
