Student Research Photos

Kathleen, a DNA goddess with laser vision, observes the precipitation of genomic DNA with ethanol.Kathleen, a DNA goddess with laser vision, observes the precipitation of genomic DNA with ethanol.
Kathryn is carefully positioning an agarose gel as part of the classic Southern blotting procedure.Kathryn is carefully positioning an agarose gel as part of the classic Southern blotting procedure.
Shimea and Andy are about to probe a Southern blot.  Don't crinkle that blot, Andy!Shimea and Andy are about to probe a Southern blot. Don't crinkle that blot, Andy!
Chris Duymich is measuring viral neuraminidase enzyme activity.  We are evaluating possible new inhibitors that Dr. Jeff Turk and his chemistry students designed and synthesized. Chris Duymich is measuring viral neuraminidase enzyme activity. We are evaluating possible new inhibitors that Dr. Jeff Turk and his chemistry students designed and synthesized.
Amanda Ketchum is engineering the phenol sulfotransferase gene into yeast to genetically search for regulatory proteins.  Here she is carefully loading our DNA sequencer.  Can you see the laser beam?Amanda Ketchum is engineering the phenol sulfotransferase gene into yeast to genetically search for regulatory proteins. Here she is carefully loading our DNA sequencer. Can you see the laser beam?
Kelsey Hughes is using site-directed mutagenesis to create heterodimerization cassettes of the drug metabolizing enzyme, phenol sulfotransferase.  Here she is loading an agarose gel to analyze and purify some mutagenic PCR reaction products.Kelsey Hughes is using site-directed mutagenesis to create heterodimerization cassettes of the drug metabolizing enzyme, phenol sulfotransferase. Here she is loading an agarose gel to analyze and purify some mutagenic PCR reaction products.
Kelsey is pointing at the fluorescent DNA bands after the electrophoresis. It worked!
Jane Macdonald is performing fluorescence titrations of  phenol sulfotransferase using a trinitrophenylated nucleotide.  This sensitive approach allows determination of equilibrium binding constantsJane Macdonald is performing fluorescence titrations of phenol sulfotransferase using a trinitrophenylated nucleotide. This sensitive approach allows determination of equilibrium binding constants.
Erik Larsen is constructing a stopped-flow device that will allow dual wavelength rapid kinetics measurements using our fluorimeter.Erik Larsen is constructing a stopped-flow device that will allow dual wavelength rapid kinetics measurements using our fluorimeter.
The assembled stopped-flow module is shown on top of the Aminco 8000 fluorimeter, set up for dual wavelength data collection. The inset shows the results of pushing phenol sulfotransferase into buffer containing esculetin and PAP.

 

The Alma College softball team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament 17 times in the last 19 years—a dynasty that ranks among the best in NCAA Division III athletics. The Scots boast a 735-254 overall record during head coach Denny Griffin’s 24-year tenure at Alma.

 

Faculty Profile

Joe Beckmann

Joe Beckmann
Departments: Biochemistry

Biochemistry professor Joe Beckmann could not resist the opportunity to work for Alma College.

Working at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for nine years, Beckmann remembers telling his wife, “There’s more to academics than this.”