Faculty Research
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee Faculty
Gary Lindquester
Dr. Lindquester investigates mechanisms of immune evasion by herpesviruses. In collaboration with a group at St. Jude Children′s Research Hospital, he is studying the role of a protein known as interleukin 10 (IL-10) which is produced by the human pathogen, Epstein Barr virus (EBV). He is generating a recombinant murine gammaherpesvirus containing the EBV IL-10 gene to study its effects on infection, latency, and pathogenesis in a mouse animal model. More about Dr. Lindquester′s research
Terry Hill, Darlene Loprete, and Loretta Jackson-Hayes
The research of Drs. Hill, Loprete, and Jackson-Hayes deals with the genetic determinants of cell wall integrity in fungi. The cell wall is an essential component of fungal growth and morphogenesis, whose structure and metabolism are insufficiently understood. This laboratory is generating and characterizing mutant strains of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, which have defects in cell wall structure. Among genes so far identified as being able to affect wall integrity in these mutants are two that code for novel (not previously characterized) proteins – the first is a probable Golgi apparatus transporter of nucleotide sugars and the second is a probable plasma membrane structural protein. The specific functions of these proteins are under investigation. More about Drs. Hill, Loprete, and Jackson-Hayes′ research
Ivaylo Ilinkin
Dr. Ilinkin’s main research interests are in the area of computational geometry. Previous work focused on the design and analysis of algorithms with applications to a manufacturing process known as Layered Manufacturing or 3D Printing. Recent work seeks to apply computational geometry techniques to the field of bioinformatics, and specifically to the problem of structure alignment of proteins. Other areas of interest include computer graphics, image processing, programming languages and software design, and computer science pedagogy.
Biology, Chemistry, and Math Faculty teaching BMB elective courses and doing BMB research
Mary Miller
The growth and division of eukaryotic cells is a highly regulated process. A variety of events important for successful division must be carried out in the proper order, at the proper time, and in the proper location. This coordinated series of events is described as the “cell division cycle” or “cell cycle”. Successful regulation of the cell cycle is paramount to the survival of single and multi-celled organisms ranging from budding yeast to man (Movie of dividing yeast courtesy of M. Tyers). Errors in this process usually result in cell death, and at times trigger the accumulation of oncogenic properties, leading eventually to cancer. In her lab, Dr. Miller studies regulatory proteins called cyclins that trigger coordinated cell division. Dr. Miller′s lab uses the model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae to carry out genetic, genomic, and biochemical assays on cyclin function. More about Dr. Miller′s research
Chuck Stinemetz
Work in Dr. Stinemetz′s laboratory principally investigates root tropistic models (i.e. gravitropism and hydrotropism). Of particular interest is the role of calcium and plant hormones in mediating these responses. Recent research projects have focused on the role of ABA as a mediator of osmotic root sensing.
