Volume 15, Number 3: September/October 2009

Page 2 The Vice Provost for University Libraries contends the library’s new organizational structure, which aligns with the University’s Academic Plan, will improve services to users. Page 3 UConn alumna and former UConn librarian Nancy Mattoon Kline ’59 pledges seed money to establish the Earl and Dora Mattoon Ward Fund for Human Rights Photojournalism Collections at the Dodd Research Center. Page 5 The new director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies traces its 35 year history and future plans.

Volume 15, Number 2: April/May 2009

Page 2: Vice Provost for University Libraries recounts the Libraries' accomplishments made in the face of a challenging economy. Page 3: Veteran writer and editor Alexander Gavitt Jr. from UConn's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources donates his papers to the Dodd Research Center. Page 5: The late animal cloning pioneer Jerry Yang is remembered by a former graduate student.

Production of cyclic peptides and proteins in vivo

Combinatorial libraries of synthetic and natural products are an important source of molecular information for the interrogation of biological targets. Methods for the intracellular production of libraries of small, stable molecules would be a valuable addition to existing library technologies by combining the discovery potential inherent in small molecules with the large library sizes that can be realized by intracellular methods. We have explored the use of split inteins (internal proteins) for the intracellular catalysis of peptide backbone cyclization as a method for generating proteins and small peptides that are stabilized against cellular catabolism. The DnaE split intein from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 was used to cyclize the Escherichia coli enzyme dihydrofolate reductase and to produce the cyclic, eight-amino acid tyrosinase inhibitor pseudostellarin F in bacteria. Cyclic dihydrofolate reductase displayed improved in vitro thermostability, and pseudostellarin F production was readily apparent in vivo through its inhibition of melanin production catalyzed by recombinant Streptomyces antibioticus tyrosinase. The ability to generate and screen for backbone cyclic products in vivo is an important milestone toward the goal of generating intracellular cyclic peptide and protein libraries.

Dendrimer-supported combinatorial chemistry.

A new methodology for the construction of combinatorial libraries is described. The approach, termed dendrimer-supported combinatorial chemistry (DCC), centers on the use of dendrimers as soluble supports. Salient features of DCC include solution phase chemistry, homogeneous purification, routine characterization of intermediates, and high support loadings. To demonstrate the feasibility of DCC, single compounds and a small combinatorial library were prepared via the Fischer indole synthesis. Excellent product yields and purities were obtained, and dendrimer-protected intermediates could be routinely analyzed by 1H and 13C NMR and by mass spectrometry. The results indicate that DCC is a general and efficient strategy for the generation of combinatorial libraries.

Efficient high-resolution genetic mapping of mouse interspersed repetitive sequence PCR products, toward integrated genetic and physical mapping of the mouse genome.

The ability to carry out high-resolution genetic mapping at high throughput in the mouse is a critical rate-limiting step in the generation of genetically anchored contigs in physical mapping projects and the mapping of genetic loci for complex traits. To address this need, we have developed an efficient, high-resolution, large-scale genome mapping system. This system is based on the identification of polymorphic DNA sites between mouse strains by using interspersed repetitive sequence (IRS) PCR. Individual cloned IRS PCR products are hybridized to a DNA array of IRS PCR products derived from the DNA of individual mice segregating DNA sequences from the two parent strains. Since gel electrophoresis is not required, large numbers of samples can be genotyped in parallel. By using this approach, we have mapped > 450 polymorphic probes with filters containing the DNA of up to 517 backcross mice, potentially allowing resolution of 0.14 centimorgan. This approach also carries the potential for a high degree of efficiency in the integration of physical and genetic maps, since pooled DNAs representing libraries of yeast artificial chromosomes or other physical representations of the mouse genome can be addressed by hybridization of filter representations of the IRS PCR products of such libraries.

Rapid selection of cell subpopulation-specific human monoclonal antibodies from a synthetic phage antibody library.

Peripheral blood leukocytes incubated with a semisynthetic phage antibody library and fluorochrome-labeled CD3 and CD20 antibodies were used to isolate human single-chain Fv antibodies specific for subsets of blood leukocytes by flow cytometry. Isolated phage antibodies showed exclusive binding to the subpopulation used for selection or displayed additional binding to a restricted population of other cells in the mixture. At least two phage antibodies appeared to display hitherto-unknown staining patterns of B-lineage cells. This approach provides a subtractive procedure to rapidly obtain human antibodies against known and novel surface antigens in their native configuration, expressed on phenotypically defined subpopulations of cells. This approach does not depend on immunization procedures or the necessity to repeatedly construct phage antibody libraries.

Editorial

Este ejemplar del Boletín Bibliotecas presenta algunos aportes resultados de la investigación, inquietudes y aspectos, considerandos de interés y porque no, preocupación en temas como usuarios, servicios, calidad y vulnerabilidad a la que estamos expuestos ante desastres.

Orientation Center Newsletter, Spring 2002

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

Orientation Center Newsletter, December 1998

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

Orientation Center Newsletter, June 1997

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

Orientation Center Newsletter, December 1996

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

Orientation Center Newsletter, Winter 2004

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

Orientation Center Newsletter, Summer 2003

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

Orientation Center Newsletter, Summer 2004

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

Orientation Center Newsletter, Summer 2005

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.