Biology Graduate Student (2007-)
jalmaden@nullucsd.edu
Office: NSB 3320
Phone: 858-822-4673

B.S. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, UCSD

Research Interests

B-cells undergo dramatic expansion during immune response, which involves one of the most rapid proliferation rates known for mammalian cells. B-cell survival and death is highly regulated, and the proliferative program is limited to about 12 divisions.

The NF-kB signaling system plays a critical role in B-cell biology. Two distinct NF-kB activation pathways have been described to induce overlapping sets of NF-kB transcription factors containing the three activation domain containing NF-kB proteins, RelA, RelB, and cRel. My research is focused on understanding which NF-kB dimers control B-cell survival and proliferation. This study is complicated by the overlap of these two B-cell processes, as well as the interdependencies of NF-kB dimers produced by the NF-kB signaling system in response to B-cell activating signals. Using a combination of in depth experimental analysis and mathematical modeling, at both the cellular and molecular levels, I hope to elucidate the homeostatic and dynamic regulation of the NF-kB signaling system in B-cell physiology.

Publications

Sun, S., J. Almaden, et al. (2005). “Assay development and data analysis of receptor-ligand binding based on scintillation proximity assay.” Metab Eng 7(1): 38-44.

Humphries, P. S., J. V. Almaden, et al. (2006). “Pyridine-2-propanoic acids: Discovery of dual PPARalpha/gamma agonists as antidiabetic agents.” Bioorg Med Chem Lett 16(23): 6116-9.

Humphries, P. S., S. Bailey, et al. (2006). “Pyridine-3-propanoic acids: Discovery of dual PPARalpha/gamma agonists as antidiabetic agents.” Bioorg Med Chem Lett 16(23): 6120-3.

Ralph, E. C., J. Almaden, et al. (2008). “Glucose modulation of glucokinase activation by small molecules.” Biochemistry 47(17): 5028-36.