Biology major starting summer research internship in San Diego

Junior Nikki Kimmet (Biology) will be heading out to the west coast this summer to conduct 8 weeks of research at the University of California at San Diego in the Department of Pharmacology's SURF program.  Her project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will involve the purification and crystallization of a newly discovered cytochrome P450 enzyme.  This protein family is involved in helping eliminate toxins from the body and also interacts with many of the pharmaceutical drugs taken by humans.  By helping to characterize this protein Nikki will further the understanding of how drugs affect the body.  Fewer than eight students are accepted into this program each year.

Nikki is one of a number of AU science students conducting research this summer.  Check back over the following weeks to find out where they are going.