Assistant Professor, Bay Path University ,Undergraduate Research Coordinator

Education

 

2004-2008

BS, General Natural Sciences; University of Puerto Rico, Cayey, PR

2008-2013

PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

2013-present

Penn-PORT fellow, Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania

  • Research mentor: Ronen Mormenstein, PhD; University of Pennsylvania

  • Teaching mentor: Christine Gibian, PhD; Delaware County Community College

Research Topic: Protein biochemistry

Just like other protein modifications acetylation of proteins has emerged as a significant protein modification in biology. The acetylation of  histone lysine side chains by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) has been studied for many years revealing some of the fundamental molecular details of this process. Recent studies have shown that thousands of non-histone proteins are also acetylated on their lysine side chains. Protein acetyltranserases play a regulatory role in many cellular processes, some of which are involved in cell proliferation, and defects in this pathway result in cancer. My research interests focus on understanding the structural and biochemical properties of protein acetyltransferases. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms for the different enzymes can aid in the development of novel molecular probes and therapeutic compounds. I plan to integrate my research training in molecular and cellular biology and structural biology into my teaching as well as to investigate the molecular basis of acetylation in human health.

Courses Taught

  • BIO-100-Biological Sciences lecture and lab,  Adjunct Professor for the STEM department Delaware County Community College, Media PA

  • CHEM-115-494/57- Special topics in biochemistry: Drug Design, Part-time lecturer for the Department of Chemistry  Rutgers University, Camden NJ

 
Publications

  • Caciotti A, Garman SC, Rivera-Colón Y, et al. GM1 gangliosidosis and Morquio B disease: an update on genetic alterations and clinical findings. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 Jul; 1812(7): 782-90. PMCID: PMC3210552.

  • Rivera-Colón Y, Schutsky, EK, Kita, AZ, Garman SC. The structure of human GALNS reveals the molecular basis for mucopolysaccharidosis IV A. J Mol Bio, Volume 423, Issue 5, 9 November 2012, Pages 736–751.

Book Chapter

  • Rivera-Colón Y, Garman SC. (2013) "The structure of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase and implications for chondroitin-6-sulfate degradation in Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA)" In Chondroitin Sulfate: Structure, Uses and Health Implications,  Nova Science Publishers Inc

Contact info:

Yadilette Rivera-Colón, Ph.D.
Ronen Marmorstein Lab
Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute
Penn-Port Post-doctoral fellow
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Biochemical Research Building
Room 430A
421 Curie Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

E-mail: yriv@upenn.edu