Ellinor Haglund, PhD, MS
Associate Member, Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Degree(s):
PhD, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University
MS, Chemistry, Umeå University
MS, Molecular Biology, Umeå University
Research Focus
My research is focused on the folding and function of proteins, utilizing both computational and experimental techniques. Through my postdoctoral study I discovered a new class of “knot-like” motifs called pierced lasso topologies (PLTs). Interestingly, these threaded topologies exist in all kingdoms of life, and populate 18% of known protein structures containing one disulphide bond. To understand the biological role of PLTs in human health, I study three model proteins: the pleiotropic hormone leptin, the chemokine CXCL5, and the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) from M. tuberculosis (MtSOD). I am inspired by how nature works and utilize my multidisciplinary training to answer questions at the interface of chemistry, biology, and physics.
Selected Publications
Simien JM, Haglund E. (2021). Topological Twists in Nature. Trends Biochem Sci;46(6):461-71.
Danielsson J, Noel JK, Simien J.M., Duggan B, Oliveberg M, Onuchic JN, Jennings PJ, Haglund E. (2020). The pierced lasso topology leptin has a bolt on dynamic domain composed by the disordered loops I and III. J Mol Biol; 17;432(9):3050-3063.
Haglund E, Nguyen L, Schafer NP, Lammert H, Jennings PA, Onuchic JN. (2018). Uncovering the Molecular Mechanisms Behind Disease-Associated Leptin Mutations. J Biol Chem. doi:10.1074.
Haglund E, Pilko A, Wollman R, Jennings PA, Onuchic JN. (2015). The Pierced Lasso Topology Controls Function in Leptin. J Phys Chem; B 121(4), pp 706-718 doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb6b11506.
Haglund E. (2015). Engineering Covalent Loops in Proteins can serve as an On/Off Switch to Regulate Threaded Topologies. J..Phys Condens Matter; 9;27(35):354107.
Publication list via PubMed
Publication list via Google Scholar
