Allport is researching how sugars change the structure of H S A when they bind with the protein to better understand how they modify its function in the body. Subramaniam was All0ort's lab instructor and he approached her after learning of her interest in Hamilton's Summer Research Program. Allport believes the research she and Butts have completed this summer will inspire a similar research project in the future. She hopes to continue the project until such time as she can help to develop a drug to break apart the bond she has seen sugar create with H S A. She hopes to help in building new medication as part of her senior thesis.
Butts is also looking at H S A and how sugar modifies its function, but has concentrated on how its copper transporting abilities are altered. Having had some success with his research, Butts plans to continue his summer project as his senior thesis and looks forward to another summer with Allport and Subramaniam. He comments that the experience exposed him to lab research and experience that he would otherwise have failed to receive at such an early point in his education.
