Dr. Madeline Rasche

Office: MH-513B
Phone: (657) 278-3885

Email: merasche@fullerton.edu

Lab: DBH-178, 163
Phone: (657) 278-2448, -5281

Madeline Rasche

Professor Biochemistry

 

Research Interests 

Methane production by microorganisms has a powerful impact on the environment because methane (CH4) is both an energy source and a greenhouse gas. Many of the microbial enzymes involved in methane production require a specialized coenzyme called tetrahydromethanopterin (H4MPT). Our laboratory uses a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology, genomics, and biophysical approaches to identify and characterize genes and enzymes required for the biosynthesis of H4MPT. By understanding how one of these enzymes works, it has been possible to develop inhibitors of methane production that may help to decrease the production of methane as a greenhouse gas from biological sources such as microorganisms in the rumen (first stomach) of domestic cattle.

Education

Ph.D. Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA
B.S. Biology (Magna cum laude), Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA

Selected Publications

Pang, C., Moscaira, J., Gong, J., and Rasche, M.E. (2020) Electron donor systems to facilitate development of assays for two flavoproteins involved in tetrahydromethanopterin biosynthesis. Advances in Microbiology 10:275-294. DOI: 10.4236/aim.2020.106020Opens in new window

Robson, N.R, Serrano, A., Alvarez-Loya, A., Miojevic, N., Lopez-Zepeda, K.K., Rasche, M.E. (2020) Enhancing Middle/High School Female Students Self-Confidence and Motivation in Pursuing STEM Careers through Increasing Diversity in Engineering and Labor-force (IDEAL) Outreach Summer Program. Opens in new window American society for Engineering Education Conference Paper ID #31776, 10 pp.

Bechard, M.E., Farahani, P., Greene, D., †Pham, A., Orry, A., and Rasche, M. E. (2019) Purification, kinetic characterization, and site-directed mutagenesis of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus RFAP synthase produced in Escherichia coli. AIMS Microbiology 5(3):186-204. DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2019.3.186Opens in new window .

Robson, N., Gautreau, C., Rasche, M.E. (2019) Learning through discovery: empowering lower division undergraduates to engage in cross-disciplinary research. Opens in new window Proceedings of the 126th American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, June 15-19, 2019, Tampa, FL, Paper ID #24781, 13 pages. 

Burton, M., Abanobi. C., Wang, K.T., Ma, R., and Rasche, M.E.  (2018) Substrate specificity analysis of dihydrofolate/dihydromethanopterin reductase homologs in methylotrophic α-Proteobacteria. Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology, Volume 9, Article 2439. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02439Opens in new window .

Robson, N., Rasche, M.E., ‡Ahir, V.R., †Mocanu, I. 2017. Incorporating Bio-Related Integrated Research in Undergraduate Kinematics of Mechanisms Course. Opens in new window Proceedings of the 124th American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, June 25 - 28, 2017, Columbus, Ohio, Paper ID #17754, 17 pages. 

Chiem, K., Jani, S., Fuentes, B., Lin, D.A., Rasche, M.E., and Tolmasky, M.E.  2016.  Identification of an Inhibitor of the Aminoglycoside 6'-N-Acetyltransferase type lb [AAC(6')-lb] by Glide Molecular DockingOpens in new window .  MedChemComm 71:  184-189.

Bobik, T.A., Morales, E.J., Shin, A., Cascio, D., Sawaya, M.R., Arbing, M., Yeates, T.O. & Rasche, M.E. 2014. Structure of the methanofuran/methanopterin biosynthetic enzyme MJ1099 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. Acta Cryst. F70: 1472-1479. DOI: 10.1107/S2053230X1402130XOpens in new window

McNamara, D.E., Cascio, D., Jorda, J., Bustos, C., Wang, T., Rasche, M.E., Yeates, T.O, and *Bobik, T.A. 2014. Structure of dihydromethanopterin reductase: a cubic Protein cage for redox transfer. J. Biol. Chem. 289:8852-8864. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M113.522342Opens in new window

Wang, S., Tiongson, J., and Rasche M.E. 2014. Discovery and characterization of the first archaeal dihydromethanopterin reductase (DmrX), an iron-sulfur flavoprotein from Methanosarcina mazei. J. Bacteriol. 196:204-209. DOI: 10.1128/JB.00457-13Opens in new window

Testani, J., Dabelic, R. and Rasche, M. E. *.; 2006. Chemical reduction of pterins to dihydropterins.  Analytical Biochem. 358:20-24.DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2006.08.001Opens in new window

Rasche, M. E., and J. G. Ferry. 2005. Molecular Biology of Methanogens and Archaebacteria, p. 237-261. In R. A. Meyers (ed.), Encyclopedia of Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, 2nd ed, vol. 8. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co., Weinheim. (Review) DOI: 10.1002/3527600906.mcb.200400019Opens in new window

Chistoserdova, L.*, Rasche, M.E., and Lidstrom, M.E.  2005.  Novel tetrahydromethanopterin biosynthesis genes discovered via mutagenesis in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. J. Bacteriol. 187: 2508-2512. DOI: 10.1128/JB.187.7.2508-2512.2005Opens in new window

Hamilton, R., Casasús, A., Rasche, M.E., Narang, A, Svoronos, S. A.*, and Koopman, B*. 2005.  A structured model for denitrifier diauxic growth.  Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 90(4):501–508. DOI: 10.1002/bit.20462Opens in new window

Caccamo, M. A., Malone, C. S., and Rasche, M. E.*  2004.  Biochemical characterization of dihydromethanopterin reductase, a tetrahydromethanopterin biosynthesis enzyme in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. J. Bacteriol.186:2068-2073. DOI: 10.1128/JB.186.7.2068-2073.2004Opens in new window

Rasche, M. E.*, Wyles, S. A., and Rosenzvaig, M.  2004.  Characterization of two methanopterin biosynthesis mutants of Methylobacterium extorquens by use of a tetrahydromethanopterin bioassay.  J. Bacteriol. 186:1565-1570. DOI: 10.1128/JB.186.5.1565-1570.2004Opens in new window

Bobik, T.A., Rasche, M.E.*  2004. Purification and partial characterization of the Pyrococcus horikoshii methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase.  Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 63:682-685.
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-003-1474-5

Rasche, M. E.*  2004.  Outcomes of a research-driven laboratory and literature course designed to enhance undergraduate contributions to original research.  Biochem. and Molecular Biology Educ. 32:101-107. DOI: 10.1002/bmb.2004.494032020313Opens in new window

Kima, P.E.*, Rasche, M.E.  2004.  Sex determination using the polymerase chain reaction.  Biochem. and Molecular Biology Educ. 32:115-119. DOI: 10.1016/S0307-4412(99)00044-8Opens in new window

Dumitru, R., Palencia., H., Schroeder, S. D., DeMontigny, B., Takacs, J., Rasche, M. E., Miner, J. L., and Ragsdale, S. W.*  2003.  Targeting methanopterin biosynthesis to inhibit methanogenesis.  Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69:7236-7241. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.69.12.7236-7241.2003Opens in new window

 

Courses Taught

Spring 2024 Office Hours

Mon/Wed 4pm-5pm in DBH161, TTH 11am-12:30pm or by appointment.