Laxman Mainali, Ph.D

Education

• 2005–2009    PhD, Physics, specialization: Biophysics
  University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY
• 2005–2007    MS, Physics
  University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY
• 2001–2005    MSc, Physics
  Tribhuvan University, Nepal
• 1998–2001    BSc, Physics
  Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Fellowship and Work Experience

• 2019–Present Assistant Professor
  Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID
• 2016–2019     Research Scientist II
  Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
• 2012–2016     Research Scientist I
  Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
• 2010–2012     Postdoctoral Fellow
  Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Research

Mainali research group is mainly focused in the development and applications of state-of-the-art Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) techniques and methods to study the structure, dynamics and function of model and biological membrane in the systems that are relevant to human health and diseases. Specifically, my group is working on two major research projects:

(1) Interaction of alpha-crystallin with cholesterol bilayer domains in cataract formation: A great deal of evidence suggests that the amount of membrane-bound alpha-crystallin increases with age and cataract progression. I hypothesized that the high cholesterol content and the formation of pure cholesterol bilayer domains decreases the binding of alpha-crystallin to lens membrane, which should protect against cataract development. These studies will provide alternative strategies for preventing and slowing the progression of cataract.
This project was recently funded by National Institutes of Health as an R01 award. $1,500,000 was awarded for 5 years starting September 1st, 2019

(2) Cholesterol membrane domains and cholesterol crystals in atherosclerosis: The major goal of this research is to understand the function of cholesterol, cholesterol bilayer domain and cholesterol crystals in the initiation of the atherosclerotic process. The findings of this research should indicate new potential strategies and targets for the therapy of this disease.

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in any of the research projects, please email me at laxmanmainali@boisestate.edu

Courses

• BMOL 555- Applied Calculus for BMOL (Spring 2021)
• BMOL 603- Biophysical Instrumentation and Techniques (Fall 2020)
• PHYS 211L – Physics I with Calculus Lab (Fall 2019, Spring 2020)
• BMOL 605 – Current Scientific Literature (Spring 2020, Spring 2021)

Honors and Awards

• 2019 R01 Grant Awarded ($1,500,000 Awarded for 5 years)
  National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• 2012 John-Weil Young Investigator Award
  International EPR/ESR Society
• 2006 Mr. & Mrs. Masood Alam Award
  University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY
• 2000 Outstanding Student Award
  Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (after joining Boise State):

*, **, and *** marked authors represent undergraduate students, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows respectively. @ marked author represents the corresponding author.

1. P. Hazen**, G. Trossi-Torres**, R. Timsina***, N. K. Khadka***, L. Mainali@ Association of Alpha-Crystallin with Human Cortical and Nuclear Lens Lipid Membrane Increases with the Grade of Cortical and Nuclear Cataract. (2024), Int. J. Mol. Sci., 25(3): 1936 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38339214/

2. R. Timsina***, P. Hazen**, G. Trossi-Torres**, N. K. Khadka***, N. K., Kalkat**, L. Mainali@. Cholesterol Content Regulates the Interaction of αA-, αB-, and α-Crystallin with the Model of Human Lens-Lipid Membranes. (2024), Int. J. Mol. Sci., 25(3): 1923 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38339200/

3. K. Khadka***, P. Hazen**, D. Haemmerle*, L. Mainali@ Interaction of β_L– and γ-Crystallin with Phospholipid Membrane Using Atomic Force Microscopy. (2023), Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24(21): 15720 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37958704/

4. Hazen**, G. Trossi-Torres**, N. K. Khadka***, R. Timsina***, L. Mainali@. Binding of β_L-Crystallin with Models of Animal and Human Eye Lens-Lipid Membrane. (2023), Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24(17): 13600 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37686406/

5. L. Mainali @ , M. Raguz, & W.K. Subczynski @ , Quantification of Age-Related Changes in the Lateral Organization of the Lipid Portion of the Intact Membranes Isolated from the Left and Right Eye Lenses of the Same Human Donor. (2023), Membranes, 13 (2):189.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/2/189

6. A. E. Enrriques, S. Howard, R. Timsina***, N. K. Khadka***, A. N. Hoover, A. E. Ray, L. Ding, C. Onwumelu, S. Nordeng, L. Mainali, G. Uzer, P. H. Davis, Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid. (2022), J. Vis. Exp., 190, e64497
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36533832/

7. R. Timsina***, S. Wellisch*, D. Haemmerle*, L. Mainali @ , Binding of Alpha-Crystallin to Cortical and Nuclear Lens Lipid Membranes Derived from a Single Lens, (2022), Int. J. Mol. Sci. ,23, 11295
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36232595/

8. N. K. Khadka***, M.-F. Mortimer*, M. Marosvari*, R. Timsina***, L. Mainali@, Membrane elasticity modulated by cholesterol in model of porcine eye lens-lipid membrane, (2022), Exp. Eye Res.,220,109131
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35636489/

9. N. K. Khadka***, R. Timsina***, L. Mainali@, An AFM Approach Applied in a Study of α-Crystallin Membrane Association: New Insights into Lens Hardening and Presbyopia Development, (2022), Membranes,12, 522
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35629848/

10. G. Trossi-Torres**, R. Timsina***, L. Mainali@, Alpha-Crystallin-Membrane Association Modulated by Phospholipid Acyl Chain Length and Degree of Unsaturation, (2022), Membranes,12, 455
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35629781/

11. R. Timsina***, G. Trossi-Torres**, J. Thieme*, M. O’Dell**, N. K. Khadka***, L. Mainali@, Alpha-Crystallin Association with the Model of Human and Animal Eye Lens-Lipid Membranes is Modulated by Surface Hydrophobicity of Membranes, (2022), Curr. Eye Res., Accepted, In press. DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2040539
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02713683.2022.2040539

12. R. Timsina*** and L. Mainali@, Association of Alpha‐Crystallin with Fiber Cell Plasma Membrane of the Eye Lens Accompanied by Light Scattering and Cataract Formation, (2021), Membranes, 11, 447.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/6/447

13. R. Timsina***, G. Trossi-Torres**, M. O’Dell**, N.K. Khadka***, L. Mainali@, Cholesterol and cholesterol bilayer domains inhibit binding of alpha-crystallin to the membranes made of the major phospholipids of eye lens fiber cell plasma membranes, Exp. Eye Res. 206 (2021) 108544.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33744256/

14. N.K. Khadka***, R. Timsina***, E. Rowe*, M. O’Dell**, L. Mainali@, Mechanical properties of the high cholesterol-containing membrane: An AFM study, Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr 1863 (2021) 183625.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33891910/

15. R. Timsina***, N .K. Khadka***, D. Maldonado*, L. Mainali@, Interaction of alpha-crystallin with four major phospholipids of eye lens membranes, (2021), Exp. Eye Res., 202, 108337.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33127344/

16. L. Mainali@, W. J. O’Brien, R. Timsina***, Interaction of Alpha-Crystallin with Phospholipid Membranes, (2021), Curr. Eye Res., 46, 185-194.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32564617/

17. L. Mainali, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Formation of cholesterol Bilayer Domains Precedes Formation of Cholesterol Cyrstals in Membranes Made of the Major Phospholipids of Human Eye Lens Fiber Cell Plasma Membranes (2020), Curr. Eye Res., 45:162-172.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31462080

18. M. Raguz, S. N. Kumar, M. Zareba, N. Ilic, L. Mainali and W. K. Subczynski, Confocal Microscopy Confirmed that in Phosphatidylcholine Giant Unilamellar Vesicles with very High Cholesterol Content Pure Cholesterol Bilayer Domains Form (2019), Cell Biochem. Biophys., 77:309-317.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31625023

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (before joining Boise State):

19. L. Mainali, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Detection of cholesterol bilayer domains in intact biological membranes: Methodology development and its application to studies of eye lens fiber cell plasma membranes (2019), Exp. Eye Res., 178:72-81.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30278157

20. N. Stein, L. Mainali, J. S. Hyde , and W. K. Subczynski, Characterization of the distribution of spin-lattice relaxation rates of lipid spin labels in fiber cell plasma membranes of eye lenses with a stretched-exponential function (2019), Appl. Magn. Reson., 50:903-918. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31244509

21. W. K. Subczynski, M. Pasenkiewicz-Gierula, J. Widomska, L. Mainali, and M. Raguz, High Cholesterol/Low Cholesterol: Effects in Biological Membranes: A Review (2017), Cell Biochem. Biophys.,75:369-385.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28417231

22. J. Widomska, W. K. Subczynski, L. Mainali, and M. Raguz, Cholesterol Bilayer Domains in the Eye Lens Health: A Review (2017), Cell Biochem. Biophys., 75:387-398. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28660427

23. W. K. Subczynski, L. Mainali, M. Raguz, and W. J. O’Brien, Organization of Lipids in the Fiber-Cell Membrane of the Eye Lens (2017), Exp. Eye Res., 156:79-86.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26988627

24. L. Mainali, T. G. Camenisch, J. S. Hyde, and W. K. Subczynski, Saturation Recovery EPR Spin-Labeling Method for Quantification of Lipids in Biological Membrane Domains (2017), Appl. Magn. Reson., 48: 1355-1373.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29805201

25. L. Mainali, M. Raguz, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Changes in the Properties and Organization of Human Lens Lipid Membranes Occurring with Age (2017), Curr. Eye Res., 42:721-731.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27791387

26. J.W. Sidabras, R.A. Strangeway, R. R. Mett, J. R. Anderson, L. Mainali, and J.S. Hyde, Hyperbolic-Cosine Waveguide Tapers and Oversize Rectangular Waveguide for Reduced Broadband Insertion Loss in W-band Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. II Broadband Characterization (2016), Rev. Sci. Instrum., 87, 034704.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27036800

27. M. Raguz#, L. Mainali#, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Amounts of Phospholipids and Cholesterol in Lipid Domains Formed in Intact Lens Membranes: Methodology Development and its Application to Studies of Porcine Lens Membranes (2015), Exp. Eye Res., 140:179-186.
#The first two authors contributed equally to this work
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26384651

28. L. Mainali, J. Vasquez-Vivar, J. S. Hyde, and W.K. Subczynski, Spin-Labeled Small Unilamellar Vesicles with the T 1-Sensitive Saturation-Recovery EPR Display as an Oxygen-Sensitive Analyte for Measurement of Cellular Respiration (2015), Appl. Magn. Reson., 46:885-895.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26441482

29. M. Raguz#, L. Mainali#, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Lipid domains in Intact Fiber-Cell Plasma Membranes Isolated from Cortical and Nuclear Regions of Human Eye Lenses from donors of Different Age Groups (2015), Exp. Eye Res., 132:78-90.
#The first two authors contributed equally to this work
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25617680

30. L. Mainali, M. Raguz, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Properties of Membranes Derived from the Total Lipids Extracted from the Clear and Cataractous Human Lenses of 61- to 70-Year-Old Donors (2015), Eur. Biophys. J.,44:91-102.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25502634

31. L. Mainali, J.W. Sidabras, T. G. Camenisch, J. J. Ratke, M. Raguz, J. S. Hyde, and W. K. Subczynski, Spin-label W-band EPR with Seven-Loop-Six-Gap Resonator: Application to Lens Membranes Derived from Eyes of a Single Donor (2014), Appl. Magn. Reson.,45:1343-1358.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25541571

32. M. Raguz, L. Mainali, W. J. O’Brien and W. K. Subczynski, Lipid-Protein Interactions in Plasma Membranes of Fiber Cells Isolated from the Human Eye Lens (2014), Exp. Eye Res., 120:138-151.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24486794

33. L. Mainali, M. Raguz, and W. K. Subczynski, Formation of Cholesterol Bilayer Domains Precedes Formation of Cholesterol Crystals in Cholesterol/Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine Membranes: EPR and DSC Studies (2013), J. Phys. Chem. B, 117:8994-9003.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23834375

34. L. Mainali, M. Raguz, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Properties of Membranes Derived from the Total Lipids Extracted from the Human Lens Cortex and Nucleus (2013), Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1828:1432-1440.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23438364

35. L. Mainali, J. S. Hyde, and W. K. Subczynski, “Using Spin-Label W-band EPR to Study Membrane Fluidity Profiles in Samples of Small Volume (2013), J. Mag. Reson., 226:35-44.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23207176

36. L. Mainali#, M. Raguz#, W. J. O’Brien, and W. K. Subczynski, Properties of Fiber-Cell Plasma Membranes Isolated from the Cortex and Nucleus of the Porcine Eye Lenses (2012), Exp. Eye Res., 97:117-129.
#The first two authors contributed equally to this work
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326289

37. W. K. Subczynski, M. Raguz, J. Widomska, L. Mainali, and A. Konovalov, Functions of Cholesterol and Cholesterol Bilayer Domain Specific to the Fiber-Cell Plasma Membrane of the Eye Lens (2012), J. Membrane Bio., 245:51-68.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22207480

38. L. Mainali, M. Raguz, and W. K. Subczynski, Phases and Domains in Sphingomyelin-Cholesterol Membranes: Structure and Properties using EPR Spin-Labeling Methods (2012), Eur. Biophys. J., 41:147-159.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22033879

39. M. Raguz, L. Mainali, J. Widomska, and W. K. Subczynski, Using Spin-Label Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) to Discriminate and Characterize the Cholesterol Bilayer Domain (2011), Chem. Phys. Lipids, 164:819-829.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21855534

40. L. Mainali, J. B. Feix, J. S. Hyde, and W. K. Subczynski, Membrane Fluidity Profiles as Deduced by Saturation-Recovery Measurements of Spin-Lattice Relaxation Times of Spin Labels (2011), J. Magn. Reson., 212:418-425.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21868272

41. L. Mainali, M. Raguz, and W. K. Subczynski, Phase-Separation and Domain-Formation in Cholesterol-Sphingomyelin Mixtures: Pulse-EPR Oxygen Probing (2011), Biophy. J., 101:837-846.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21843474

42. L. Mainali, M. Raguz, T. G. Camenisch, J. S. Hyde, and W. K. Subczynski, Spin-Label Saturation-Recovery EPR at W-band: Applications to Eye Lens Lipid Membranes (2011), J. Mag. Reson., 212:86-94.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21745756

43. W. K. Subczynski, L. Mainali, T. G. Camenisch, W. Froncisz, and J. S. Hyde, Spin-Label Oximetry at Q- and W-band (2011), J. Magn. Reson., 209: 142-148.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21277814

44. M. Raguz, L. Mainali, J. Widomska, and W. K. Subczynski, The Immiscible Cholesterol Bilayer Domain Exists as an Integral Part of Phospholipid Bilayer Membranes (2011), Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1808:1072-1080.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21192917

45. K. A. Earle, L. Mainali, I. D. Sahu, and D. J. Schneider, Magnetic Resonance Spectra and Statistical Geometry (2010), Appl. Magn. Reson., 37:865-880.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20730032

Book Chapter Publication:
46. W. K. Subczynski, J. Widomska, and L. Mainali, Factors Determining the Oxygen Permeability of Biological Membranes: Oxygen Transport Across Eye Lens Fiber-Cell Plasma Membranes (2017), In: H. Halpern, J. LaManna, D. Harrison, B. Epel (eds) Oxygen Transport to Tissue XXXIX. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol., 977:27-34, Springer, Cham.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28685424

Other Publications:

1. L. Mainali “John Weil Young Investigator Award 2012 to Laxman Mainali,” International EPR (ESR) Society EPR Newsletter 22 (3), 6-7, 2012.

2. L. Mainali, D. R. Mishra, and M. M. Aryal, “First Principles Calculations to study the Equilibrium Configuration of Ozone Molecule,” arXiv:1102.1051, 2011.
https://arxiv.org/abs/1102.1051

Research Group

Current Lab Members

Postdoctoral fellows

Nawal Khadka, PhD

PhD Students

Preston Hazen, BS

Navdeep Kalkat, MSc

Undergraduate Students

Dieter Haemmerle

Former Lab Members

Postdoctoral fellows

Raju Timsina, PhD

• Currently: Process Development Scientist, Grifols Therapeutic LLC

Graduate Students

Geraline Trossi-Torres, MS (BMOL MS, Thesis Option)

• Currently: PhD Student, University of Idaho

Matthew O’Dell, MS (BMOL MS, Project Option)

Undergraduate Students

Mason Marosvari, BS

• Currently: Postbaccalaureate Scholar, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Max-Florian Mortimer

• Currently: Research Technician /Lab Manager, Boise State University

Jackson Thieme

Samantha Wellisch

David Maldonado

Erica Rowe