APPLICATION FORM

YSP-Travel Fellowships for 13th FAOBMB Congress, Bangkok, November 23-29, 2012.
Name of Applicant: Ms/Mr/Dr Mehdi Sahihi Position: Ph.D. Student / Postdoctoral Fellow

Address of Applicant: Chemistry department, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156/83111, Iran

Email address: msahihi@ch.iut.ac.ir Membership of FAOBMB Constituent Society: Iranian Biochemistry Society Date of Birth: 30/08/1981 Applicants must be no more than 35 years of age at the closing date for application: (31 July, 2012). Proof of Age: (Certification by the Head of your Institution or Department is required) I certify on the basis of official documentation which I have seen (e.g. passport, birth certificate or drivers licence) that the date of birth of the applicant Mr Mehdi Sahihi Is 30/08/1981, as shown above.

Signed: Y. Ghayeb

Position: Head of chemistry department Have you previously received an FAOBMB Travel Fellowship? If yes, please indicate when. No

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Curriculum Vitae Provide a brief CV showing education and research training, including any prizes or awards: EDUCATION and RESARCH Ph.D. Student in Biophysical Chemistry, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. Thesis: Thermodynamic stability and Binding properties of -lactoglobulin Supervisors: Prof. Abdol-khalegh Bordbar, Dr. Yousef Ghayeb. Courses: Quantum Chemistry, Quantum Mechanics of Many Particle systems, Laser Spectroscopy, Angular Momentum, Statistical Thermodynamics.

2007-2012

2004-2006

M. Sc. in Physical Chemistry, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. Thesis: Solubility of Fumaric Acid in SC-CO2 Supervisor: Prof. Hassan Ghaziaskar. Courses: Advanced Physical Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Quantum Chemistry, Statistical Thermodynamics.

1999-2003

B. Sc. in Pure Chemistry, the University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

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List of Publications in International Journals* 1- M. Sahihi, A.K. Bordbar, Y. Ghayeb. "Solubility of maleic acid in supercritical carbon dioxide", J. chem. eng. Data. 55, 2596-2599 (2010) (IF 1.693)

2- M. Sahihi, A.K. Bordbar, Y. Ghayeb. "Thermodynamic denaturation of -lactoglobulin in the presence of cetylpyridinium chloride", The Journal of chemical thermodynamics. 42, 1423-1428 (2010) (IF 2.422)

3- M. Sahihi, A.K. Bordbar, Y. Ghayeb. "Thermodynamic stability and retinol binding property of -lactoglobulin in the presence of cationic surfactants", The Journal of chemical thermodynamics. 43, 1185-1191 (2011) (IF 2.422)

4- M. Sahihi, A.K. Bordbar, Y. Ghayeb, N. Fani. "Structure-Function Relationship of Lactoglobulin in the Presence of Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate", The Journal of chemical thermodynamics. 52, 16-23 (2012) (IF 2.422)

5- "Fluorescence Spectroscopic Study on Interaction of Retinol with -lactoglobulin in the Presence of Cetylpyridinium Chloride", Spectroscopy, 27, 27-34 (2012) (IF 0.932)

6- "The Interaction of Polyphenol Flavonoids with -lactoglobulin: Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies", Journal of Macromolecular Science Part B, In Press (IF 0.739)

7- M. Sahihi, F. Mohammadi, A.K. Bordbar, Y. Ghayeb, A.A. Saboury. "Interaction of Bisdemethoxycurcumin and Diacetylbisdemethoxycurcumin with -lactoglobulin: Spectroscopic and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies", Journal of Structural Biology, Under Review (IF 3.406)

8- "Interaction of -Lactoglobulin with Resveratrol: Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies", Protein Journal, Under Review (IF 1.038)

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Abstract Interaction of Bisdemethoxycurcumin and Diacetylbisdemethoxycurcumin with lactoglobulin: Spectroscopic and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies
M. Sahihia,*, F. Mohammadib,c, A.Khalegh Bordbarb,*, Y. Ghayeba, A.Akbar Sabouryd
a

Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran c Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Gava Zang, Zanjan 45137-66731, Iran d Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
b

This study demonstrates the interactions of bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) and diacetylbisdemethoxycurcumin (DABC) as the bioactive constituents of turmeric with bovine -lactoglobulin (BLG) variant B using fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation methods. The binding constant for formation of BLG-BDMC and BLGDABC complexes were 8.99 0.1 104 M-1 and 1.87 0.1 102 M-1, respectively. The distance between BLG and BDMC was obtained based on Frster`s theory of non-radiative energy transfer. The secondary structure contents of BLG in the presence of ligands were obtained by analysis of CD spectra. Molecular docking studies revealed that BDMC and DABC bind to the surface of the protein by four and one hydrogen bond interactions, respectively. Finally, molecular dynamics simulation results show that the binding of BDMC to BLG causes the conformational change of BLG and the structure of binding site remains rigid during the simulation of two complexes.

KEYWORDS: Bisdemethoxycurcumin; Diacetylbisdemethoxycurcumin; Bovine lactoglobulin; Fluorescence quenching; Circular dichroism, Molecular dynamics simulation.

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Personal Statement

My interest lies in the field of biophysical chemistry with particular attention to the structurefunction relationship of proteins, molecular dynamics simulation of proteins and other biomacromolecules, natural ligands and drug design. At this point in time I am seeking to present my experience and training in protein science and MD simulation to the contributors of FAOBMB Congress. Given the opportunity, I am confident that I will be able to transfer my experiences to other contributors while at the same time developing my knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology that I will need to succeed in my future research endeavors.

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To whom it may concern Mr. Mehdi Sahihi asked me to write a recommendation letter regards to his recent application for YSP-Travel Fellowships for 13th FAOBMB Congress, Bangkok. Actually it is my great pleasure to do it. I know Mehdi since 2000 when he was BSc student in department of chemistry, University of Isfahan. He passed some of his physical chemistry courses with me and was one of the best students in the class. After successful graduation in BSc course, he immediately admitted as MSc student of Physical Chemistry in Isfahan University of Technology, and graduated well in this course in 2007. He immediately admitted as PhD student of Physical Chemistry in Isfahan University of Technology as one of the high rank universities in Iran with respect to his excellent records. My familiarity was become perfect when he did his PhD thesis under the supervision of me and Dr. Ghayeb. His PhD thesis was in the area of Biophysical Chemistry. He did a very comprehensive study on structurefunction relationship of beta-lactoglobulin in the presence various drugs and ligands. He has published several valuable papers in peer review ISI journals. With respect to the above mentioned points I strongly recommend him for this fellowship. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any other information.

With best regards A. Khalegh Bordbar Professor of Biophysical Chemistry University of Isfahan Isfahan, 81746-73441 Iran Tel.: +98-3117932710 Fax: +98-3116689732 Emails: bordbar@chem.ui.ac.ir and khalegh_bordbar@yahoo.com

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To whom it may concern It is my pleasure to recommend Mr. Mehdi Sahihi for the YSP-Travel Fellowships for 13th FAOBMB Congress, Bangkok. Mehdi is PhD student in my lab and is one of the most outstanding researchers to emerge from my lab. I recommend him to you highly. In my lab Mr. Mehdi Sahihi works on thermodynamic stability and binding properties of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG). He studies the interaction of Ionic surfactants and natural ligands with BLG by spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation methods. Mr. Sahihi published 5 papers from his studies which attest to his hard work, biophysical insight and outstanding writing skills. Also some of his works by MD method are not yet published. Mr. Sahihi proved himself an outstanding researcher. Mr. Sahihi is also a terrific citizen and a leader in my lab. In short I give Mehdi my highest recommendation. He is one of my finest students, an outstanding researcher, and I expect him to be one of top researchers in his field. I strongly recommend him and will appreciate your assistance to his application. Yours Sincerely, Dr. Yousef Ghayeb Assos. Professor in Department of Chemistry Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan- 84156/83111, Iran Tel.: +98-311-3913252 Fax: +98-311-3912350 E-mail: yghayeb@gmail.com

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