Emma Guiberson
she/her
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
- Office
- McCardell Bicen Hall 450
- Tel
- (802) 443-3367
- eguiberson@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Spring 25: F 9:30-11 am or by request at eguiberson.youcanbook.me
Courses Taught
CHEM 0313
Current
Biochemistry Laboratory
Course Description
Biochemistry Laboratory
Experimental biochemistry emphasizing the isolation, purification and characterization of enzymes and the cloning of genes and expression of recombinant protein. Traditional biochemical techniques such as UV-VIS spectroscopy, gel filtration, ion exchange and affinity chromatography, electrophoresis, and immunoblotting will be used in the investigation of several enzymes. Specific experiments will emphasize enzyme purification, enzyme kinetics, and enzyme characterization by biochemical and immunochemical methods. Major techniques in molecular biology will be introduced through an extended experiment that will include DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction, bacterial transformation, DNA sequencing, and the expression, purification, and characterization of the recombinant protein. Class discussions emphasize the underlying principles of the biochemical and molecular techniques employed in the course, and how these experimental tools are improved for particular applications. Laboratory reports stress experimental design, data presentation, and interpretation of results. (CHEM 0322) 2 hr. lect., 6 hrs. lab.
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0322
Current
Upcoming
Biochemistry of Macromolecules
Course Description
Biochemistry of Macromolecules
This course is an introduction to biochemistry that focuses on the chemical and physical properties of amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Specific topics include the structure and function of proteins, enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, how carbohydrates and lipids contribute to vital cellular and organismal functions, and informational biochemistry (DNA, RNA, and specific enzymes and processes leading to the production of regulatory RNA and proteins). Specific topics from the primary literature will be explored to illustrate how particular techniques and experimental approaches are used to gain a new understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology. (CHEM 0203 or CHEM 0242) 3 hrs. lect., 1 hr. disc.
Terms Taught
CHEM 0425
Upcoming
Biochemistry Of Metabolism
Course Description
Biochemistry of Metabolism
A living organism requires thousands of coordinated individual chemical reactions for life. In this course we will survey the major integrated metabolic pathways of living cells and whole organisms, with particular attention to enzyme mechanisms, as well as the regulation, and integration of metabolism from the molecular to the whole organism level. The synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, and nucleotides are investigated, along with the mechanisms of energy flow and cell-to-cell communication. While common metabolic processes are emphasized, unique aspects of metabolism that permit cells to function in unusual niches will also be considered. Mechanistic and regulatory aspects of metabolic processes will be reinforced through an investigation of inborn errors and organic defects that lead to disease. (CHEM 0322) 3 hrs. lect., 1 hr. disc.
Terms Taught
CHEM 0500
Current
Upcoming
Independent Study
Course Description
Independent Study Project
Individual study for qualified students. (Approval required)
Terms Taught
CHEM 0700
Current
Upcoming
Senior Research
Course Description
Senior Research
In this course students complete individual projects involving laboratory research on a topic chosen by the student and a faculty advisor. Prior to registering for CHEM 0700, a student must have discussed and agreed upon a project topic with a faculty member in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Attendance at all Chemistry and Biochemistry Department seminars is expected. (Approval required; open only to seniors)
Terms Taught
MBBC 0500
Current
Upcoming
Independent Research
Course Description
Independent Research
This course is for non-seniors wishing to conduct independent research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Additional requirements include attendance at all MBBC-sponsored seminars and seminars sponsored by the faculty mentor’s department, and participation in any scheduled meetings and disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. (Approval required).
Terms Taught
MBBC 0700
Current
Upcoming
Senior Independent Research
Course Description
Senior Independent Research
Seniors conducting independent research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry under the guidance of a faculty mentor should register for MBBC 0700 unless they are completing a thesis project (in which case they should register for MBBC 0701). Additional requirements include attendance at all MBBC-sponsored seminars and seminars sponsored by the faculty mentor’s department, and participation in any scheduled meetings and disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. (Approval required).
Terms Taught
MBBC 0701
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
This course is for seniors completing independent thesis research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry that was initiated in BIOL 0500, CHEM 0400, MBBC 0500, or MBBC 0700. Students will attend weekly meetings with their designated research group and engage in one-on-one meetings with their research mentor to foster understanding in their specialized research area. Students will also practice the stylistic and technical aspects of scientific writing needed to write their thesis. (BIOL 0500, CHEM 0400, MBBC 0500, MBBC 0700) (Approval required).
Terms Taught
NSCI 0700
Upcoming
Senior Research
Course Description
Senior Research
This course is for senior NSCI majors who plan to conduct one or more semesters of independent research, or who plan to complete preparatory work toward a senior thesis, such as researching and writing a thesis proposal as well as, if appropriate, collecting data that will form the basis for a senior thesis. Senior NSCI majors who plan to complete a senior thesis should register initially for NSCI 0700. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (Approval required, open to seniors only)
Terms Taught
Areas of Interest
At Middlebury, Emma teaches courses in biochemistry and pursues research at the intersection of microbiology and analytical chemistry. Her research laboratory focuses on understanding the microbial-derived molecular mechanisms of dental caries and gum disease using mass spectrometry.
The Guiberson lab will be accepting new students for Fall 2025! Preference will be given to students that are able to work over the summer as well. Apply through the chemistry department application here: https://forms.gle/J9diVXEP4ky4EQs66
Academic Degrees
University of Notre Dame, B.S. in Chemistry and Philosophy
Vanderbilt University, Ph.D. in Chemistry
Stanford University, Postdoctoral Scholar
Publications
- Guiberson ER*, Wexler AG*, Beavers WN, Washington MK, Shupe JA, Lacey DB, Caprioli RM, Spraggins JM, Skaar EP. “Clostridioides difficile infection induces a rapid influx of bile acids into the gut during colonization of the host.” Cell Reports. 2021. (36) DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109683 *Equal Contributions
- Guiberson ER, Good CJ, Wexler AG, Skaar EP, Spraggins JM, Caprioli RM. “Multimodal Imaging Mass Spectrometry of Murine Gastrointestinal Tract with Retained Luminal Content.” JASMS. 2022. (33) 1073-1076. DOI: 10.1021/jasms.1c00360
- Guiberson ER*, Weiss A*, Ryan DJ, Monteith AJ, Sharman K, Gutierrez DB, Perry WJ, Caprioli RM, Skaar EP, Spraggins JM. “Spatially-targeted proteomics of the host-pathogen interface during staphylococcal abscess formation.” ACS Infect. Dis. 2021. (7) 101-113. DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00647
- Han S, Guiberson ER, Sonnenburg JL. “High-throughput identification of gut microbiome-dependent metabolites.” Nature Protocols. 2024. DOI: .10.1038/s41596-024-00980-6
- Sharman K, Patterson NH, Weiss A, Neumann EK, Guiberson ER, Gutierrez DB, Spraggins JM, Van de Plas R, Skaar EP, Caprioli RM. “Analyzing High-Dimensional Spatially Targeted Proteomics Data to Investigate Staphylococcus aureus Infection.” J. Proteome Res. 2022. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00206
- Rivera ES, Jones MA, Guiberson ER, & Norris JL (2020). Fundamentals of Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics. In G. Sindona, J. H. Banoub & M. L. Di Gioia (Eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents: Detection, Diagnosis and Health Concerns (pp. 61-81). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_4
- Voogdt CGP, Tripathi S, Bassler SO, McKeithen-Mead SA, Guiberson ER, et. al. “Randomly barcoded transposon libraries for gut commensals II: exploiting libraries for functional genetics.” Cell Reports. 2024. (43) DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113519
- Shriver AL, Sun J, Culver R, Violette A, Wynter C, Drescher SP, Sekhon PK, Nieckarz M, Friess L, Carlson HK, Wong D, Higginbottom S, Waglerz M, WAng W, Knapp BD, Guiberson ER, et. al. “A mutant fitness compendium in Bifidobacteria reveals molecular determinants of colonization and host-microbe interactions.” Under Review at Cell.
- Nicholson MR, Strickland BA, Guiberson ER, Spraggins JM, Caprioli RM, Das S, Skaar EP. “The Gut Microbiome and Bile Acids Differentiate Clostridioides difficile Infection and Colonization in Children.” In Preparation.