University of Vermont, BA Biology, 1984 Washington State University, PhD Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1990

Apolipoprotein A-I is the major protein component of high density lipoprotein (HDL, the "good" cholesterol). It plays an important role in lowering the risk for coronary artery disease. We are exploring the structural features of human and non-human apolipoprotein in order to understand its lipid-binding mechanisms.  We use the tools of molecular biology to create specific mutations and evaluate the effect of the mutations using a variety of biophysical methods.

Petrlova, J., +Duong, T., +Cochran, M., Axelsson, A., Morgelin, M., Roberts, L.M., Lagerstedt, J.O. The Fibrillogenic L178H Variant of Apolipoprotein A-I Forms Helical Fibrils. 2012 J. Lipid Res. 53, 390-398. Lagerstedt, J.O., Cavigiolio, G., Roberts, L.M., Hong, H.S., Jin, L.W., Fitzgerald, P.G., Oda, M.N., Voss, J.C. Mapping the Structural Transition in an Amyloidogenic Apolipoprotein A-I. 2007. Biochemistry 46, 9693-9699. Roberts, L.M. Developing Experimental Design and Trouble-shooting Skills in an Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory. 2001. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 29, 10-15. Rogers, D.P., Roberts, L.M., Lebowitz, J., Anantharamaiah, G.M., Engler, J.A., Brouillete, C.G. The Lipid-Free Structure of Apolipoprotein A-I: Effects of Amino-Terminal Deletions. 1998. Biochemistry 37, 11714-11725 . Rogers, D.P., Roberts, L.M., Lebowitz, J., Engler, J.A., Brouillette, C.G.Structural Analysis of Apolipoprotein A-I: Effect of Amino- and Carboxyl-Terminal Deletions on the Lipid-Free Structure. 1998. Biochemistry 37, 945-955. Roberts, L.M., Ray, M.J.,Shih, T.-W., *Hayden, E., *Reader, M.M., Brouillette, C.G. Structural Analysis of Apolipoprotein A-I: Limited Proteolysis of Methionine-Reduced and - Oxidized Lipid-Free and Lipid-Bound Human Apo A-I. 1997. Biochemistry 36, 7615-7624. Rogers, D.P., Brouillette, C.G., Engler, J.A., Tendian, S.W., Roberts, L.M., Mishra, V., Anantharamaiah, G.M., Lund-Katz, S., Phillips, M.C., Ray, M.J. Truncation of the Amino Terminus of Human Apolipoprotein A-I Substantially Alters Only the Lipid-Free Conformation. 1997. Biochemistry 36 , 288-300. Roberts, L.M., Dunker, A.K. Structural Changes Accompanying Chloroform-Induced Contraction of the Filamentous Phage fd. 1993. Biochemistry 32 , 10479-10488. Dunker, A.K., Ensign, L.D., Arnold, G.E., Roberts, L.M. A Model for fd Phage Penetration and Assembly. 1991. FEBS Letters 292, 271-274. Dunker, A.K., Ensign, L.D., Arnold, G.E., Roberts, L.M. Proposed Molten Globule Intermediate in fd Phage Penetration and Assembly. 1991. FEBS Letters 292, 275-278.