Texas Tech University Research Articles

P162 Comparative Outcome Evaluation of 3 Delivery Models for a Diabetes Prevention Education Program for Older Adults

Objective Outcome evaluation of 3 delivery models for a diabetes prevention education program for older adults. Use of Theory or Research Older adults have the highest prevalence of diabetes and have proved to benefit from prevention programs. Few community-based education programs have targeted this age group. Target Audience Community-dwelling older persons (≥60 years) in Lubbock, Texas. Program Description We modified the national Diabetes Prevention Program based on previously assessed health education needs of the elderly. Seven modules on diabetes basics, physical activity, and overall healthy diet were developed. The core elements were healthy eating within budget, enhancing self-efficacy, nutrition misconceptions, and problem-solving skills. Two community centers were randomly assigned to education by nutrition professionals (Pro, n = 23), 2 were assigned to trained peer educators (Peer, n = 27), and 2 were assigned to receive written materials (Passive, n = 26). Pro and Peer groups received 9 weekly 45-minute sessions; passive group received the written materials weekly. Evaluation Methods Nutrition and Diabetes Knowledge (NDK) questionnaire, self-efficacy for eating behaviors scale, Starting the Conversation instrument for dietary behaviors, and the Veggie Meter for Skin Carotenoid Status (SCS). We also conducted post-intervention focus group discussions. Results Regression models demonstrated a significant improvement in self-efficacy in Peer group (+0.38 ± 0.24) compared to the other 2 groups (+0.18 ± 0.32 for Pro and +0.11 ± 0.45 for Passive, P Conclusions Passive information dissemination was not an effective education model for elderly people. Peer education provided a valuable resource for diabetes education for older adults. Funding Texas Tech University.

The Educational Impact of a Fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Oncologist.

Musculoskeletal oncology is a subspecialty of orthopaedics with few fellowship-training locations. Although orthopaedic oncologists comprise a minority within the field of orthopaedic surgery, most work at academic centers and serve in leadership roles with notable impact on patients and the training of residents. This article investigates the objective impact orthopaedic oncologists have regarding resident operative case volume and performance on in-training examinations. The William Beaumont Army Medical Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of El Paso combined orthopaedic residency program's case logs and Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) scores between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed. This provided 3 academic years of data before and after an orthopaedic oncology faculty member arrived in 2016. The case volume and OITE examination performance before and after the addition of the orthopaedic oncology faculty member were compared. After the addition of an orthopaedic oncology faculty member, a significant increase was observed in the program's OITE overall correctly answered questions (171.30 versus 181.03, P = 0.004) and oncology subsection percentile (56th to the 66th percentile, P = 0.038). An increase was also observed in resident oncology case volume from 29 oncology cases per year to 138 cases on average (P = 0.022). The addition of a fellowship-trained orthopaedic oncologist results in increased exposure to orthopaedic oncology cases and improved resident performance on the OITE. This may correlate to improved American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons Part I pass rates and improved overall resident satisfaction.

CFD to VorTECH Pressure-Field Comparison and Roughness Effect on Flow

AbstractA numerical simulator that very closely resembles the experimental tornado simulator facility called VorTECH at Texas Tech University (TTU) is modeled using three-dimensional simulation. De...

Novel coronavirus, novel faculty development programs: rapid transition to eLearning during the pandemic.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a rapid and massive transition to online education. We describe the response of our Office of Faculty Development at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC EP) to this unprecedented challenge during and after this post-pandemic crisis. The initiatives for emergency transition to eLearning and faculty development described in this paper may serve as a model for other academic health centers, schools, colleges and universities.

Focus on transparency, strategic planning to effectively manage challenges resulting from pandemic

Transparency and strategic planning will play critical roles in leading athletics departments through the uncertain and unusual times surrounding the COVID‐19 crisis. That's according to Jacque Bruns, M.B.A., Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Financial Officer at Oregon State University; and Jonathan Butros, M.B.A., Senior Associate AD and Chief Financial Officer at Texas Tech University, who shared their views during a virtual forum hosted by Tom McMillen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the LEAD1 Association.

Effectiveness of a Cultural and Theory-Based Nutrition Intervention on Increasing Dietary Calcium Intake Among Vietnamese Women in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a nutrition education intervention (NEI) on increasing dietary calcium intake among Vietnamese women aged 30–65 years in rural Hanoi, Vietnam. Methods This study used pretest/posttest experimental and delayed nutrition intervention approach. The NEI was based on the Health Belief Model and comprised two educational and demonstrations sessions, followed by educational handouts once a week for 4 weeks. Women aged 30–65 years in six communities in a rural district in Hanoi were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups: intervention group (IG, n = 128), which received the NEI first, and a control group (DG, n = 118), that received a delayed intervention. Dietary calcium intake, knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy were collected at baseline/pre-intervention and post-intervention. Linear mixed model with repeated measures and multiple regression were used to assess the effectiveness of the nutrition intervention. Results The results showed that participants in the IG had a significant higher increase in knowledge score at post intervention, compared to the DG (4.02 points larger, P < 0.05). Perceived susceptibility and barriers significantly decreased from baseline to post intervention in the IG (P ≤ 0.001). From baseline to post intervention, self-efficacy significantly increased among participants in the IG (P < 0.05) whereas the DG significantly decreased their self-efficacy (P < 0.05). While calcium intake at baseline was not significantly different between the IG and DG, at post intervention the IG reported a significant higher increase in calcium intake than the DG (P < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that knowledge and self-efficacy significantly predicted dietary calcium intake (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions Findings of this study demonstrate the importance of nutrition education in increasing dietary calcium intake and knowledge among Vietnamese women. The findings also suggested that knowledge and self-efficacy played an important role in improving dietary calcium intake. Funding Sources This study was partially funded by the Graduate School at Texas Tech University.

An Effectiveness Study of Early or Late Time-Restricted Feeding on Body Composition – Pilot Study

Abstract Objectives Our objective was to measure the differences in body composition change following a 6-week early or late time-restricted feeding without specific calorie-targets in healthy but sedentary free-living individuals with overweight/obesity. Methods Sedentary, healthy individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 kg/m2 were recruited for a 6-week intervention. They were randomized to morning fasters (MF) who ate only between 12 pm to 8 pm, evening fasters EF who ate only between 7 am and 3 pm; and the control group, which was instructed to continue their usual pattern of eating. Specific calorie targets were not provided to all participants. Pre- and post-intervention height and weight were measured, and body composition was assessed using the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanner. Intention to treat analysis was performed, using the last observation carried forward. Normality was assessed. Between-group differences in change of body composition and within-group differences for pre- and post-measurements were studied using parametric and non-parametric tests accordingly, and Bonferroni correction for multiple testing was applied. Results 10, 8, and 10 participants were in the MF, EF, and control groups, respectively. There were 11 males and 17 females. The mean age of our participants was 30.25 (SD = 10.99) years and mean BMI was 29.06 (SD = 3.63)kg/m2. There was no difference in baseline age, BMI, body fat %, total body fat mass, total lean mass and visceral fat between the 3 groups (P > 0.05). Compliance was significantly lower in evening fasters than controls (P = 0.029). Unlike MF, EF had a greater reduction in body fat mass than the controls, but the difference was non-significant (P = 0.053). There were no significant differences in body composition pre-vs post measurements within each study group (P > 0.05). Conclusions When specific calorie targets were not provided, morning fasting and evening fasting did not result in a significant change in body composition in sedentary adults with overweight/obesity in our pilot study. A larger-scale study is needed to validate these findings. Funding Sources Startup funds from Texas Tech University.

Thermoneutrality Exacerbates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice

Abstract Objectives Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), the aggressive subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, affects about 1.5–6.45% of population in the world. Understanding the pathophysiology of NASH is critical to develop a therapeutic strategy for NASH. In this study, we investigated whether thermoneutrality can modulate the progression of NASH. Methods Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly assigned to 2 groups (16 mice/group), and fed with either a control chow diet (CHD) (Picolab rodent diet 20, LabDiet) with a regular drinking water or an “fast food” diet (FFD) (Research Diets, D12079B) plus fructose 23.1 g/L and glucose 18.9 g/L added to the drinking water for 20 weeks. Half of mice in each group were housed at the standard temperature (ST) (22°C), and the other half of mice were housed at the thermoneutral temperature (TT) (27°C). Body weight, food intake, and body composition were measured weekly. Histological assessments, including H&E staining, trichrome staining, and Picro Sirius Red staining, were used to examine lipid accumulation and collagen formation in liver. In addition, Real-time PCR was performed to study gene expression in the liver and brown adipose tissue (BAT). Results In the FFD group, mice under TT compared to ST had significantly higher body weight gain, total fat mass, higher plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Moreover, FFD mice under TT demonstrated more pronounced lipid accumulation and presence of collagen, higher expression of several genes involved in lipid synthesis (Fasn, Acc1, and Serbp1c) and collagen formation (Col1a1), and significantly higher expression of inflammation markers including Ccl5, Nos2, Mcp1, and Il12b in the liver. As expected, TT housing significantly inhibited expression of thermogenesis markers, such as Ucp1, Elov3, and Cidea in BAT regardless of diets. Mice fed CHD did not present NASH even they were exposed to TT. Conclusions Thermoneutrality exacerbated the progression of NASH in mice. Further studies are warranted to investigate how brown fat activity regulates the development of NASH. Funding Sources The College of Human Sciences of Texas Tech University; the National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health (Grant R15AT008733).

The essentials of a faculty development program in the setting of a new medical school

Health sciences centers rely on competent and engaged faculty for their success, and therefore a robust faculty development program is a must for every academic institution. We report on the...

Ten Years after the Texas Tech Accident. Part II: Changing Safety Cultures and the Current State of Academic Laboratory Safety at Texas Tech University

A serious academic laboratory accident occurred at Texas Tech University in January of 2010. As a result of internal assessment and subsequent investigations by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard ...

Complexity of Global Refugee Crisis: Needs for Global Transdisciplinary Collaboration

People are on the move for many reasons such as war and civil war, human rights, violation, economic, social, climate, environmental, political, and individual reasons that create these changing aspects. In such complex situations, the need to ee (forcibly displaced) versus the choice to leave (migration)can be difficult to determine. The issue of refugee resettlement is complex and includes many factors to consider. Factors being considered for their impact on resettlement include budget and cost issues, federal law and policies, administration challenges, security screening process, education and training, health and housing, crime rate, socioeconomic issues and many others. The objective of this article is to discuss how the aforementioned factors relates and interact with one another using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). ISM methodology implementation against this problem was consisted of a group of 25 undergraduate students in senior design class, all pursuing Mechanical Engineering degree at Texas Tech University, two Ph.D. students, one faculty member in design, four research engineers from different companies. This group recognized significant difficulties and challenges in carrying out successful refugee resettlement and sought to identify the main factors affecting the problem and how they were interrelated, with the goal of improving the rate of success for these displaced individuals.

STEM challenge: two years of community-engaged engineering

PurposeCommunity-engaged partnerships have the ability to combine expertise and resources to enhance the local STEM learning ecosystem, by engaging the actors in communities that can enhance students' experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Texas Tech University (TTU) and Lubbock Independent School District (LISD) have partnered to coordinate an annual STEM Challenge to encourage STEM learning and interest among local middle grade students. Each summer, teams of (three to four) students from ten LISD middle schools participate in a week-long engineering design challenge, facilitated by TTU undergraduate mentors and their teachers, structured by the Engineering Design Process (EDP).Design/methodology/approachQuantitative (survey) and qualitative (open-ended responses) data from two years of student glider and hovercraft projects offer insight into how 66 students developed STEM knowledge and leveraged 21st-century skills to accomplish a shared aim (design challenge).FindingsFindings suggest growth in students' 21st-century skills, most among underrepresented (racial, ethnic and gender minority) groups. Data from year one (2018) informed year two (2019) in both programming and the research, including enhanced training for mentors and a deeper exploration of students' experiences during each stage of the EDP during the STEM challenge.Originality/valueSignificant and salient findings are discussed along with recommendations for both programmatic and methodological improvements for year three (2020). This study provides insight into how to structure similar community-engaged partnerships in enhancing the community STEM ecosystem through collaborative STEM experiences for diverse, younger learners.

Impact of Depression in Teenage Pregnancy [17K

INTRODUCTION: Teenage pregnancy remains a public health concern. Maternal complications include increased C-section and instrumental deliveries. Infant complications include preterm births and neonatal death. Societal implications seen in teenage mothers include increased financial burden, unemployment, poor academic achievement, and physical abuse. In this study, we investigated a correlation between a diagnosed adolescent depression and pregnancy during adolescence (<20 years old). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of female patients, under the age of 20, diagnosed with depression and/or adolescent pregnancy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center clinics (including Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatric, and Family Medicine clinics) in Amarillo, Texas from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016 and conducted Z-test to analyze the statistical significance. IRB approval was obtained. RESULTS: Of the 490 teenage girls identified, 171 (34.9%) were pregnant but not depressed, 220 (44.9%) were depressed but not pregnant, and 99 (20.2%) were both depressed and pregnant. Of the 99 teenage girls, 35 (35.4%) of the patients had depression prior to pregnancy, 29 (29.3%) had PPD (postpartum depression), 19 (19.2%) had depression after conception without PPD, and 16 (16.2%) had depression after conception with unknown PPD. CONCLUSION: Research suggests that childbearing does not necessarily cause psychological distress among teenagers. However, after filtering out the data for PPD and those with indeterminate history, the result showed that teens were, on average, depressed first, and became pregnant after. This research shows that depression remains an important risk factor for teen pregnancy. Public policy and medical management should be encouraged to address this.

Exploring the complexities associated with full-scale wind plant wake mitigation control experiments

Abstract. Recent research promotes implementing next-generation wind plant control methods to mitigate turbine-to-turbine wake effects. Numerical simulation and wind tunnel experiments have previously demonstrated the potential benefit of wind plant control for wind plant optimization, but full-scale validation of the wake-mitigating control strategies remains limited. As part of this study, the yaw and blade pitch of a utility-scale wind turbine were strategically modified for a limited time period to examine wind turbine wake response to first-order turbine control changes. Wind turbine wake response was measured using Texas Tech University's Ka-band Doppler radars and dual-Doppler scanning strategies. Results highlight some of the complexities associated with executing and analyzing wind plant control at full scale using brief experimental control periods. Some difficulties include (1) the ability to accurately implement the desired control changes, (2) identifying reliable data sources and methods to allow these control changes to be accurately quantified, and (3) attributing variations in wake structure to turbine control changes rather than a response to the underlying atmospheric conditions (e.g., boundary layer streak orientation, atmospheric stability). To better understand wake sensitivity to the underlying atmospheric conditions, wake evolution within the early-evening transition was also examined using a single-Doppler data collection approach. Analysis of both wake length and meandering during this period of transitioning atmospheric stability indicates the potential benefit and feasibility of wind plant control should be enhanced when the atmosphere is stable.

A Review of Diverse Academic Research in Nanosecond Pulsed Power and Plasma Science

This article was invited in order to summarize for the special edition of a Plenary Review presentation at the IEEE ICOPS/PPC meeting, June 23 2019 by M. Gundersen. It is a review of research conducted into primarily academic environments in nanosecond pulsed power, applications of the pulsed power research to bioelectrics, and combustion and ignition over a period of $\approx 45$ years. Research was conducted primarily at the University of Southern California (USC), at Texas Tech University (TTU), and through collaborations with other laboratories and personnel. Pulsed power, applied on a nanosecond time scale, was found to enable a range of new applications; several examples are detailed below. The range of applications for research based in short-pulse, or nanosecond pulsed power, and applied plasma science, strongly encourage defining and supporting the extension of programmatic research goals to beyond the academic laboratories and into the commercial environment.

The World Screen: Japan’s Cinematic Reinvention and International Film Festivals

Research Article| April 01 2020 The World Screen: Japan’s Cinematic Reinvention and International Film Festivals Lance Lomax Lance Lomax Lance Lomax is a doctoral student in the English Department at Texas Tech University. His research interests include transpacific media, adaptation, and the industrial and generic aspects of Japanese cinema. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Journal of Film and Video (2020) 72 (1-2): 46–57. https://doi.org/10.5406/jfilmvideo.72.1-2.0046 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Permissions Search Site Citation Lance Lomax; The World Screen: Japan’s Cinematic Reinvention and International Film Festivals. Journal of Film and Video 1 January 2020; 72 (1-2): 46–57. doi: https://doi.org/10.5406/jfilmvideo.72.1-2.0046 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All Scholarly Publishing CollectiveUniversity of Illinois PressJournal of Film and Video Search Advanced Search The text of this article is only available as a PDF. Copyright 2020 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois2020 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer cells: Biochemical evaluation of new lead drug candidates

P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) overexpression is often correlated with multidrug‐resistance (MDR) of cancer cells due to its role in the transport of chemotherapeutic drugs out of the cells in an ATP‐dependent process. To search for P‐gp inhibitors as co‐therapeutics to combat MDR, we previously used high‐throughput in silico ligand docking studies to identify drug‐like compounds. To assess functionality of the hit compounds we measured their effects on P‐gp ATPase hydrolysis activity. Some of the compounds inhibited ATP hydrolysis of purified P‐gp and successfully reversed the MDR in prostate and ovarian cancer cell lines. We subsequently used computational approaches and structure‐based design to produce variants of one of the hit compounds with predicted higher affinity to P‐gp. The efficacy of these variants in reversing MDR in cell culture as well as the biochemical evaluation of inhibition was assessed. High expression of human P‐gp in the yeast Pichia pastoris in a biologically active form was previously reported and the purified P‐gp was used on our recent assays. Currently, reconstitution of P‐gp into nanodiscs allowed for human P‐gp to be solubilized in its active form with ATPase activity enhanced by 2–3 fold as well as increased stability. Here we report the evaluation of the potential of our previously discovered drug‐like compounds to serve as inhibitors of human P‐gp ATP hydrolysis activity.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH NIGMS [R15GM094771‐02] to PDV and JGW, SMU University Research Council, SMU Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholars and Undergraduate Research Assistantship Programs, the SMU Center for Drug Discovery, Design and Delivery, the Communities Foundation of Texas, and private gifts from Ms. Suzy Ruff of Dallas, Texas, and Ms. Myra Williams, Ph.D. of Naples Florida. The authors would like to thank Dr. Ina L. Urbatsch, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, for providing the P. pastoris cells expressing the human wild‐type MDR1 used in this work.

Formative Assessments Predict Performance and Promote a Positive Learning Environment

At Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, our curriculum begins with a rigorous and fast‐paced Clinically Oriented Anatomy course. Over the past four years, we have increased and improved the use of formative quizzes and exams to promote higher learning and performance outcomes, clarify examination expectations, and reduce student stress. Prior to starting our curriculum students are offered the opportunity to take a 25 question comprehensive formative pre‐test that previews examination content and USMLE vignette style questions. In the past year, we found that 93% of the incoming class utilized this voluntary resource. An average score of 23% on this pre‐test is consistent with a lack of familiarity of incoming students with human anatomy. To evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum to bridge this informational gap, we provide students with two formative assessments (practice practical and practice written exam) prior to each summative exam. Computer based laboratory practice exams use digital images of prosected cadavers while didactic exams encompass a range of first, second and third order questions. Post‐assessment question/answer rationales provide students with immediate feedback to help identify areas of strength and weakness. Using this formative assessment approach, we have investigated the ability of formative assessments to predict exam performance and identify “at risk” students early in the course (i.e. after taking the first formative practice exam). Analysis of formative assessment data revealed a strong correlation with graded exam performance (p values ranging from 0.01–0.001 and r values from 0.44–0.70). Furthermore, overall graded summative exams correlate strongly with NBME performance (p = 0.001 and r = 0.92). Indicative of a successful educational experience, students scored an average of 233% higher on the repeat post‐course formative exam. Furthermore, the student’s perception of these formative assessments is very favorable and increases each year. In the past year, we had significantly fewer “at risk” students, and NBME performance was a record high. Thus, we find that formative assessments improve the educational experience, boost exam performance, and reduce student stress.Support or Funding Information(Sponsored by the Department of Medical Education at the TTUHSC SOM.)This study is approved by TTUHSC‐QIRB (approval#17008)

SPE Strong: Strengthening Our Core: There Is No Silver Bullet: Strengthening the Fundamentals

President's column “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.” —Jim Rohn, American businessman and author This month’s column is dedicated to technology evaluation, an area where I have spent the majority of my career. For at least 2 decades, I have been approached almost weekly by either one of my engineers or an inventor who has found the “next best thing that will revolutionize our industry.” While I have been a champion for innovation and technology development, I have also applied critical thinking in forming my opinion of such claims. The first questions I always ask myself are: “Do I need this new technology?” and “Do I understand the root cause of the problem well enough to determine if applying existing technology and accepted practices cannot solve it?” To adequately answer these questions, a good understanding of the fundamentals, such as fluid or mechanical dynamics, is often needed. Is this new tool or method genuinely innovative, or has it been born out of engineering ignorance? “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.” —Benjamin Franklin For context, let me provide an example. The downhole rod-driven reciprocating pump has existed since the late 1800s (Beckwith 2014). For a century, the design practices for deter-mining the optimal tolerance between the downhole plunger and barrel were theoretical equations and often used rules of thumb. Too large of a tolerance would lead to excess fluid slip-page and decreasing efficiency of the pump. Too tight of a tolerance could lead to rod buckling and the inability to handle particulates such as sand. As an industry, we typically erred on the side of caution toward tighter tolerances, and many “gadgets” were invented to prolong the life of the downhole rods and pumps and to counter issues caused by this design practice. It wasn’t until the late 1990s when a group of operators in the Permian Basin began to question the validity of the existing equations and design philosophies. These Permian operators collectively funded research at Texas Tech University to understand the dynamics of the fluid slippage between a plunger and barrel under a variety of conditions. Through intensive research and experimentation of the fundamentals, they were able to develop a new equation, later named the Patterson Equation, which proved that larger tolerances did not lead to excess slippage (Nickens et al. 2005). The gained understanding of these previously accepted fundamentals had significant implications throughout the industry. Operators began to increase their plunger and barrel tolerances in their designs, and they no longer needed gadgets. As a result, the run life of the downhole equipment increased considerably. The value gained by those operating companies collaborating with the university far exceeded their original investment. However, the industry was the greatest benefactor of the publication of the research.

Optimizing Protein Function for Screening of Novel Inhibitors that Target Multi‐Drug Resistance in Cancers

P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) belongs to the ATP‐Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter family of proteins and is strongly linked with multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumors where overexpression often abolishes the effects of chemotherapeutics by removing the therapeutics from the cells. In hopes of creating co‐therapeutics to re‐sensitize tumors to chemotherapeutics, we previously used high‐throughput in silico ligand docking studies and identified drug‐like compounds that reversed MDR in human cancer cells in culture. To evaluate the mechanism of inhibition in human P‐gp, we have isolated human P‐gp from the yeast Pichia pastoris using mixed detergent micelles. In order to effectively assess the potential inhibitors, we must be able to sufficiently stimulate our protein and have a high enough activity to see the inhibitory effects of the potential inhibitors. In previous work, we found that the activity of P‐gp assembled into membrane nanodiscs had significantly higher basal activity in the absence of transport substrate than P‐gp in detergent micelles. However, significant increase in activity in the presence of the substrate verapamil was not observed in micelles or nanodiscs. Here, we report methods of protein purification and nanodisc assembly modified to have optimally functional human P‐gp. The resulting purified P‐gp will be used to evaluate the inhibition mechanism of lead compounds that were shown to reverse MDR in cancer cell culture.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH NIGMS [R15GM094771‐02] to PDV and JGW, SMU Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholars and Undergraduate Research Assistantship Programs, the SMU Center for Drug Discovery, Design and Delivery, the Communities Foundation of Texas, and private gifts from Ms. Suzy Ruff of Dallas, Texas, and Ms. Myra Williams, Ph.D. of Naples, Florida. The authors would like to thank Dr. Ina L. Urbatsch, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, for providing the P. pastoris cells expressing the human wild‐type MDR1 used in this work.