TITLE: Graduate Student (PhD)
PROGRAM: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) (2014 – 2019)
EMAIL: kango@nullucla.edu
OFFICE: Boyer Hall 570
PHONE: 310-794-9970
EDUCATION:
M.S. in Chemistry, UC San Diego – 2013
B.S. in Pharmacological Chemistry, UC San Diego – 2008

Biography

My research is focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying the activation of gene transcription by NFκB RelA subunit. This is done by elucidating specific attributes of RelA that contribute to its ability to activate and regulate inflammatory gene expression programs by employing a panel of RelA mutations and examining their impact on transcription. By using biochemical analysis, mathematical model-aided analysis approach, RNA and ChIP-seq analyses, we find specialized, non-overlapping functions in DNA binding and transcriptional activation in RelA. My hobbies include playing beach volleyball, badminton, baking, and volunteering for Buddhist temple events.

Awards and Fellowships

MIMG Warsaw Fellowship, 2017-2018

Sidney Rittenberg Award, 2015

Publications

Fortmann KT, Lewis RD, Ngo KA, Fagerlund R, Hoffmann A. 2015. “A Regulated, Ubiquitin-Independent Degron in IκBα.” Journal of Molecular Biology. PMID: 26191773

Tsui R, Kearns JD, Lynch C, Vu D, Ngo KA, Basak S, Ghosh G, Hoffmann A. 2015. “IκBβ enhances the generation of the low-affinity NFκB/RelA homodimer.” Nature Communications. PMID: 25946967.

Almaden JV, Tsui R, Liu YC, Birnbaum H, Shokhirev MN, Ngo KA, Davis-Turak JC, Otero D, Basak S, Rickert RC, Hoffmann A. 2014. “A pathway switch directs BAFF signaling to distinct NFκB transcription factors in maturing and proliferating B cells”. Cell Reports. PMID: 25497099