Omar Qassem

Advisor's Name:

John Tesmer

Email Address:

hassan76@purdue.edu

Training Group:

Biomolecular Structure and Biophysics

Research Summary:

My research currently focuses on determining the mechanism of adenylyl cyclase (AC) type V inhibition by G protein inhibitory alpha subunit through the structural analysis of their complex by cryogenic electron microscopy, mutagenesis, and biochemical assays. ACs are a group of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of ATP into cAMP, one of the cell's most important secondary messengers. To date, there are a few structures of full-length ACs, and none of them are currently displayed in complex with Gai. Our work will give insights into the mechanism of adenylyl cyclase inhibition, which can help develop new inhibitors to treat diseases that ACV is involved in, including heart diseases and dyskinesia.

Why did you choose to attend PULSe:

Purdue is one of the most academically renowned institutions in the US, and that's why I chose to join Purdue for graduate school. But over other programs, I have chosen PULSe because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and explore new scientific worlds. PULSe is an interdisciplinary program that allows you to rotate and work with labs from almost every discipline. Our faculty members are distributed around campus. In PULSe, I was able to switch my interest from one science to another and join the lab that I perfectly fit in. It is truly an interdisciplinary life sciences program that lets you easily try multiple science experiences and pick out the one that you love the most.

About Me: (Hobbies and Interests when not in lab):

I am from Egypt, and I spent all my life before graduate school there. I am very proud of my roots, and try to nicely represent my country in every possible way. I love talking to people and making new friends and acquaintances. I love helping other students, whether those who need help join graduate school, or junior students to navigate their journeys when they come over. In my free time, I love watching soccer, or football as we call it from where I come from. Also, I enjoy watching professional wrestling. I achieved one of my dreams as a little kid to go to one of the biggest wrestling shows in the industry. It is also one of my favorite things to walk in the sunny weather. But above all, I love spending time with my family and watching my son(s?) grow up every day.