Georgi Lukov

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Biochemistry, Aug. 2000 - Dec. 2005, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
M.D., Medicine, Sep. 1991 - Oct. 1997, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

TEACHING AND RESEARCH POSITIONS

Professor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii, September 2022 – Present
Associate Professor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii, September 2017 – August 2022
Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii, July 2010 – August 2017
Postdoctoral Associate, Baylor College of Medicine, December 2005 – July 2010
Graduate Research Fellow, Brigham Young University, April 2003 – December 2005
Graduate Research Assistant, Brigham Young University, January 2002 – April 2003
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Brigham Young University, August 2000 – April 2003

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

July 2010 – Present, Faculty of Science, Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

Teaching Chemistry and Biochemistry courses:

SCI 99 – Successful Practices in Learning Science
CHEM 100 – The World of Chemistry
CHEM 101 – Introduction to General Chemistry
CHEM 105 – General Chemistry I
CHEM 105L and CHEM 106L – General Chemistry I and II Laboratory
CHEM 481 and CHEM 482 – Biochemistry I and II
CHEM 483L – Biochemistry Methods Lab – Proteins
CHEM/BIOL 484L – Biochemistry/Biomolecular Methods Lab – Nucleic Acids
CHEM/BIOL 485L – Biochemistry/Biomolecular Methods Lab – Mammalian Cells
CHEM/BIOL 490R – Current Topics in Chemistry and Biochemistry
CHEM 491-4 – Undergraduate Research
CHEM 496R & 497R – Student Mentored Research

Mentoring undergraduate student research.

January 2003 – July 2010, Brigham Young University and Baylor College of Medicine.

Mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, and medical fellows.

August 2000 – April 2003, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University.

Graduate teaching assistant of Chemistry 584 (Protein Lab) (Jan. 2002 – April 2003).
Graduate teaching assistant of Chemistry 482 (Biochemistry II) (Jan. 2002 – April 2002)
Graduate teaching assistant in the Chemistry Exploratory Lab (Aug. 2000 – Dec. 2001)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

July 2010 - Present, Department of Biochemistry and Physical Science / Faculty of Science, Brigham Young University - Hawaii. Research projects:
Stability and degradation of the Lymphoblastic leukemia 1 gene, LYL1: impact on generation, progression and outcome of T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-cell ALL). - ACTIVE
Chaperonin assisted folding of proteins containing WD40 motifs and β-propeller structure: role of the phosducin-like protein (PhLP) as a co-chaperone; identifying novel beta-propeller class-specific co-chaperones. – PUBLISHED
Understanding the mechanism of action of the 2A foot and mouth viral sequence in allowing expression of independent proteins from transcripts containing multiple open reading frames.
Non-viral, extracellular approaches of Nitroreductase-based Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT).
Determining the anti-proliferative effect of newly developed PROTAC molecules. – ACTIVE
Effect of the beta-amyloid peptide on cell proliferation. – PUBLISHED
Synergistic antiproliferative effect of mechlorethamine and amyloid beta-peptide on the human lung cancer cell line H441. – PUBLISHED
Effect of the Inverted/Flipped classroom mode of teaching on student learning, compared to the traditional, lecture-based mode of instruction.
Factors causing Freshman to Sophomore student attrition in the programs of Biology and Biochemistry. - ACTIVE
Does the language of science and other subject-exams place English as a second language speakers at a disadvantage, and if yes, why, and how can we minimize that effect? - ACTIVE

December 2005 – July 2010, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine. Mentor: Margaret Goodell. Research projects:

Generation of mouse models to study the effect of Lyl1, on normal and malignant hematopoiesis.
Identifying and characterizing LYL1 post-translational modifications and their role in LYL1 function and degradation.
Role of Nurr1 (Nuclear receptor related protein - 1) in cell cycle regulation of mouse hematopoietic stem cells.
Identification of binding partners for Irgm1 (Immunity-Related GTPase family M, 1) using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry.
Investigating the role of CD48 in the formation of follicular lymphoma in mice.

January 2001 – December 2005, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University. Mentor: Barry Willardson. Research projects:

Investigating the role of the phosducin-like protein (PhLP) in the expression, folding and assembly of the Gβγ protein complex and G protein signal transduction.
Investigating the phosphorylation state and mapping the phosphorylation sites of PhLP.
Investigating the binding interaction of PhLP with CCT (chaperonin-containing tailless complex polypeptide -1), and the role of CCT in PhLP mediated assembly of Gβγ complexes.
Investigating the role of the isoprenyl group and pocket of the Gβγ subunit complex in the interaction with phosducin (Pdc) and PhLP.

PUBLICATIONS

Zahmanova, G., Takova, K., Lukov, G.L., Andonov, A. Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Ruminants and Virus Excretion in Milk—A Potential Source of Zoonotic HEV Infection. Viruses. 2024; 16(5):684. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050684
Jackson, J., Romero, G.M., Hawkins, D.; Cornwall, R.G., Lukov, G.L. Identifying the Structural Components Responsible for the Antiproliferative Properties of Hydroxychavicol. Compounds 2023, 3, 552–560. https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds3040039
Zahmanova, G., Aljabali, A.A., Takova, K., Toneva, V., Tambuwala, M.M., Andonov, A.P., Lukov, G.L., Minkov, I. The Plant Viruses and Molecular Farming: How Beneficial They Might Be for Human and Animal Health? Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 1533. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021533
Zahmanova, G., Valkova, R., Takova, K., Toneva, V., Minkov, I., Lukov, G.L. (2022). Plant-derived recombinant vaccines against zoonotic viruses. Life, 12(2), 156. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020156
Mak, W.S., Tsang, T.M., Chan, T.Y., Lukov, G.L. (2021). Novel Binding Partners for CCT and PhLP1 Suggest a Common Folding Mechanism for WD40 Proteins with a 7-Bladed Beta-Propeller Structure. Proteomes, 9(4), 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/proteomes9040040
Takova, K., Koynarski, T., Minkov, G., Toneva, V., Mardanova, E., Ravin, N., Lukov, G.L., Zahmanova, G. (2021). Development and optimization of an enzyme immunoassay to detect serum antibodies against the Hepatitis E virus in pigs, using plant-derived ORF2 recombinant protein. Vaccines, 9(9), 991. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9090991
Lee, B., Tuthill, T., Kim, H., Ketchum, J., Jackson, J., Scott, D., Lukov, G.L. (2021). Synergistic antiproliferative effect of mechlorethamine and amyloid beta-peptide on the human lung cancer cell line H441. J Cancer Biol Trea, 7: 017. http://dx.doi.org/10.24966/CBT-7546/100017
Journal Link: https://www.heraldopenaccess.us/openaccess/synergistic-antiproliferative-effect-of-mechlorethamine-and-amyloid-beta-peptide-on-the-human-lung-cancer-cell-line-h441
Tuthill, T., Reeve, J., Barry, E., Liongi, A., Lukov, G., Scott, D. (2020). The effects of amyloid β-protein on the proliferation of human lung papillary adenocarcinoma. Impulse: The Premier Journal for Undergraduate Publications in the Neurosciences, (2020). https://impulse.appstate.edu/articles/2020/effects-amyloid-β-protein-proliferation-human-lung-papillary-adenocarcinoma
Zohren, F., Souroullas, G.P., Luo, M., Gerdemann, U., Imperato, M.R., Wilson, N.K., Gottgens, B., Lukov, G.L., Goodell, M.A. (2012). The transcription factor Lyl-1 regulates lymphoid specification and the maintenance of early T lineage progenitors. Nat Immunol, 13(8), 761-769. https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.2365
King, K.Y., Baldridge, M.T., Weksberg, D.C., Chambers, S.M., Lukov, G.L., Wu, S., Boles, N.C., Jung, N.C., Qin, J., Liu, D., Songyang, Z., Eissa, N.T., Taylor, G.A., Goodell, M.A. (2011). Irgm1 protects hematopoietic stem cells by negative regulation of IFN signaling. Blood, 118(6), 1525-1533. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2011-01-328682
Boles, N.C., Lin, K.K., Lukov, G.L., Bowman, T.V., Baldridge, M.T., Goodell, M.A. (2011). CD48 on hematopoietic progenitors regulates stem cells and suppresses tumor formation. Blood, 118(1), 80-87. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2010-12-322339
Lukov, G.L., Rossi, L., Souroullas, G.P., Mao, R., Goodell, M.A. (2011). The expansion of T-cells and hematopoietic progenitors as a result of overexpression of the lymphoblastic leukemia gene, Lyl1 can support leukemia formation. Leuk Res, 35(3), 405-412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leukres.2010.07.023
Sirin, O., Lukov, G.L., Mao, R., Conneely, O.M., Goodell, M.A. (2010). The orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 restricts the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. Nat Cell Biol, 12(12), 1213-1219. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb2125
Lukov, G.L., Goodell, M.A. (2010). LYL1 degradation by the proteasome is directed by a N-terminal PEST rich site in a phosphorylation-independent manner. PLoS ONE, 5(9), Article e12692. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012692
Lukov, G.L., Baker, C.M., Ludtke, P.J., Hu, T., Carter, M.D., Hackett, R.A., Thulin, C.D., Willardson, B.M. (2006). Mechanism of assembly of G protein βγ subunits by protein kinase CK2-phosphorylated phosducin-like protein and the cytosolic chaperonin complex. J Biol Chem, 281(31), 22261-22274. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m601590200
Lukov, G.L., Hu, T., McLaughlin, J.N., Hamm, H.E., Willardson, B.M. (2005). Phosducin-like protein acts as a molecular chaperone for G protein βγ dimer assembly. EMBO J, 24(11), 1965-1975. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.emboj.7600673
Carter, M.D., Southwick, K., Lukov, G., Willardson, B.M., Thulin, C.D. (2004). Identification of phosphorylation sites on phosducin-like protein by QTOF mass spectrometry. J Biomol Tech, 15 (4), 257-264. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc2291704/
Lukov, G.L., Myung, C.S., McIntire, W.E., Shao, J., Zimmerman, S.S., Garrison, J.C., Willardson, B.M. (2004). Role of the isoprenyl pocket of the G protein beta gamma subunit complex in the binding of phosducin and phosducin-like protein. Biochemistry, 43(19), 5651-5660. https://doi.org/10.1021/bi035903u

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (on National / International Conferences)

“Investigating test bias in STEM courses final exams for non-native English speakers at BYU–Hawaii”, CES Institutional Research Virtual Conference, September 22, 2023
“Mutations of the LYL1 gene in patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia”, Experimental Biology/ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 26-30, 2014, San Diego, California – presented by my mentored student, Tsz Yin Chan/Tsang.
“Effect of casein kinase II phosphorylation of phosducin-like protein on its binding to the cytosolic chaperonin complex and G protein βγ subunit dimer.”, International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) 8^th Conference / American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Annual Meeting, June 12-16, 2004, Boston, Massachusetts

POSTER PRESENTATIONS (on National / International Conferences)

“Synergistic antiproliferative effect of mechlorethamine and amyloid beta-peptide on the human lung cancer cell line H441”, Sigma Xi Annual Meeting & Student Research Conference, November 4 - 7, 2021, A Virtual Event – presented by my mentored student, Benjamin Lee.
“Phosducin-like protein and CCT interact with G protein β-like, β-propeller proteins”, Experimental Biology/ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 26-30, 2014, San Diego, California –presented by my mentored student, Tsz Ming (Jeremy) Tsang
“Lyl1 is a weak oncogene, which causes T-cell expansion in the peripheral blood and increases the number of bone marrow cells with stem and progenitor-like phenotype.”, Poster session - Late-breaking abstract, American Association for Cancer Research 100-th Annual Meeting, April18 - 22, 2009, Denver, CO
“Lyl1 overexpression in mouse bone marrow causes T-cell expansion and myeloid lineage depletion.”, Poster session, Stem Cells & Cancer, Gordon Research Conference, September 9-14, 2007, Big Sky Resort, Big Sky, Montana
“G protein βγ dimer assembly requires phosducin-like protein as a molecular chaperone.”, Poster session, Experimental Biology/ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 2-6, 2005, San Diego, California
“Effect of casein kinase II phosphorylation of phosducin-like protein on its binding to the cytosolic chaperonin complex and G protein βγ subunit dimer.” – Poster session, International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) 8^th Conference / American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Annual Meeting, June 12-16, 2004, Boston, Massachusetts.

HONORS, AWARDS and GRANTS

Ten years of Service Award, BYU-Hawaii, January 28, 2021
Faculty Recognition Award for 2019 – 2020, BYU-Hawaii, May 22, 2019
Faculty Recognition Award for 2016 – 2017, BYU-Hawaii, May 12, 2017
Exemplary Faculty Service Award, BYU-Hawaii, March 3, 2016
Five years of Service Award, BYU-Hawaii, March 3, 2016
Faculty Recognition Award for 2014 – 2015, BYU-Hawaii, April 3, 2015
Letter of acknowledgement by the ASBMB for serving as the ASBMB Student Chapter advisor at BYU-Hawaii (in my UAN ASBMB file), Oct. 2014
Professional development grant from the Center for Teaching and Learning at BYU-Hawaii for development of Inverted CHEM100 class, Sep. 2013
Non-Faculty Teaching Award, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, 2009
Outstanding Graduating Ph.D. Student Award, Brigham Young University, 2005
Charles E. and Margaret P. Maw Research Fellowship – Outstanding Continuing Graduate
Student, Brigham Young University, 2004-2005
Jenny R. Swensen Graduate Award, Brigham Young University, 2004-2005
Roland K. Robins Research Fellowship, Brigham Young University, 2003-2004
Cancer Research Center Fellowship, Brigham Young University, 2003

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT

Member of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Board of Advisors, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, March 2022 - present
Topic Editor for the journal Vaccines, published by MDPI, April 12, 2021 – September 2023
Attended “Transforming Undergraduate Education in Molecular Life Sciences” symposium, July 30 - Aug. 2, 2015 - Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO
Member – Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, since August 2012
Member – American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), since 2011
Attended “Student-Centered Education in the Molecular Life Sciences II” symposium, July 20-23, 2011 - Richmond University, Richmond, VA
Certificate of completion “The 2006 Basic Sciences Ethics” symposium, June 2006 – Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

Assessment Coordinator, Faculty of Science, BYU – Hawaii, Jan. 2023 – Present
Program Lead / Coordinator of the Biochemistry and Physical Sciences programs at the Faculty of Sciences, Sep. 6, 2018 – August 30, 2023.
Faculty adviser of the student Healthcare Professionals club, BYU – Hawaii, Aug. 2013 – Sep. 2023
Negotiated an academic agreement for a bridge program between BYU–Hawaii and the Pacific University School of Pharmacy allowing students to complete a bachelor’s or associate degree at BYU–Hawaii and a Doctorate in Pharmacy at PU School of Pharmacy within 5 or 6 years. Nov. 2019
Member, Design & Planning Committee for the new science building, Feb. 2017 – Dec. 2018
Chair, Department of Natural Sciences, BYU-Hawaii, Oct. 21, 2015 – Sep. 6, 2018
At the beginning of 2015, designed and proposed a three-semester academic calendar for BYUH. The proposal was later approved by faculty and staff and adapted by the university.
Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Physical Science, BYU-Hawaii, Sep. 8, 2014 – Oct. 21, 2015
Organized and served as the faculty adviser of the BYU – Student Chapter of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, October 2013 – Oct. 2017
Member, Faculty Advisory Council (FAC), BYU – Hawaii, August 2013 – September 2014
Member, Career Services Faculty Advisory Board, BYU – Hawaii, April 2013 – Sep. 2014
Proposed and negotiated an academic agreement between BYU-Hawaii and the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Fiji National University for direct admission (without entrance exam) or credit transfer of qualifying BYU-Hawaii students from the nations of the Pacific islands, May 2012 – Feb. 2016. FNU refused the partnership.
Representative, Graduate Student Association, Brigham Young University, Jan – Sep 2003

CV Last Revised June 2024