University Honors

Patients with type two diabetes commonly use the medication metformin to regulate blood sugar. Despite its wide use because of its ability to control blood sugar, the biochemistry of how it works in the body is still unknown, therefore leads people to discontinue the medication (Alibrahim 2023). Dr. Genereux’s DNAJB8 assay utilizes the heat shock protein in the HSP 40 family, DNAJB8 to target proteins that experience a change in structure and bind that can then be analyzed. Using Dr. Genereux’s DNAJB8 assay to isolate proteins affected by metformin, we can develop a deeper understanding of the cellular biochemical process in reducing blood sugar in the immortalized human embryonic cells, HEK293T cells. The goal of using this assay is to understand the proteins that are targeted by metformin as they will tell us what pathways are used and can broaden our understanding of the chemical. Currently, our next steps are to take the samples to mass spectrometry to be analyzed. Understanding the biochemical pathway of metformin can be used to improve the efficacy of the drug by improving the chemical itself to reduce the symptoms that people face. Understanding what proteins are affected by metformin in diabetes patients may pave the way for further research to elucidate its effects and potential benefits for future patients.