Date
4-2025
Project Type
URC Presentation
Department
Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences
College or School
COLSA
Class Year
Senior
Major
Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Faculty Research Advisor
Krisztina Varga
Language
English
Medium
Poster
Abstract
Lyophilization, or freeze-drying, is an important preservation method for protein-based products, such as protein pharmaceuticals. However, the process introduces both freezing and drying stresses that can harm proteins. Here, I have studied if AnAFP, a dehydrin-like antifreeze protein isolated from the broadleaf desert shrub Ammopiptanthus nanus, can protect the cold-sensitive enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from lyophilization-induced damage. Given AnAFP’s homology to dehydrins and antifreeze proteins, I hypothesized that it can protect other proteins against both freezing and dehydration damages. LDH, known to be sensitive to both types of damage, was used as a model enzyme. It was found that AnAFP protected LDH from lyophilization damage with similar or better efficacy than 10% w/v sucrose and superior to that of another known antifreeze protein.
Recommended Citation
Sheppard, Alexzandria; Sylvester, Jack; Jović Dold, Katarina; and Varga, Krisztina, "Investigating the Lyoprotective Properties of a Plant Antifreeze Protein" (2025). Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) Student Presentations. 635.
https://scholars.unh.edu/urc/635