Role of the actin cytoskeleton in neuronal growth and regeneration, pathfinding, and in neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer disease. Signal transduction mechanisms controlling actin filament dynamics and cell behavior.

My lab is interested in why only developing sperm, and not eggs, are highly sensitive to heat exposure. Using a combination of genetic, genomic, biochemical, and cytological approaches, we leverage sex comparative studies in both C. elegans and Zebrafish to identify the sex-specific molecular mechanisms that underlie temperature associated infertility.

HIV-1 protease autoprocessing mechanism and drug discovery

Molecular recognition and protein-protein interactions as applied to ubiquitin biochemistry and ubiquitin-proteasome mediated protein degradation.

Our research focuses on understanding how accurate chromosome segregation is achieved in mitosis. We are analyzing the molecular architecture of the kinetochore-microtubule interface in vertebrate cells and studying how proteins and protein complexes at this interface drive and regulate chromosome movements.

The goal of this laboratory is to understand the molecular and cellular basis of human diseases that result from defective intracellular compartments in platelets and skin cells as well as the endocytic pathway.

Our laboratory is a unique academic-industry hybrid uniting the expertise and clinical success of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and advances in Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT). Our research program integrates decades of knowledge from these two distinct, but related fields to create transformative next generation culture media and biosolutions that address pressing challenges in both areas. As the research & development (R&D) arm of CaseBioscience, our work is squarely aimed at developing commercial products that will benefit researchers and clinicians in ART and CGT. To achieve this aim, we delve deeply into the molecular mechanisms of cell metabolism and stress pathways, the differentiation states and physiology of stem cells, immune cells, and other human cells poised for applications in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Current projects include investigating novel approaches to cryopreservation, improving physiological stem cell cultivation, and developing next generation embryo culture medium for assisted reproduction. A major goal is focused on improving long-term survival and physiology of stem cells and immune cells during cryopreservation, a necessary step in the widespread adoption of cell therapies. Other R&D projects are aimed at developing next generation, physiological cell culture media for human pluripotent stem cells, a pivotal cell type for CGT, and human embryos, essential for enhancing assisted reproduction outcomes. With the ultimate goal of developing clinical biosolutions, we follow ISO13485 procedures for medical device manufacturing, providing a distinct environment for translational research.

Our research is focused on elucidating the structure/function relationships of the chromatin fiber. My laboratory has pioneered the use of recombinant chromatin model systems to yield unique information about the condensed structures of chromatin fibers, and the architectural proteins that modulate these structures in solution.

Our laboratory has been recognized for elucidating the structures and structural gymnastics associated with the functions of nucleic acids. More recently, we have pioneered the use of biomolecular halogen bonds to control the structures and functions of proteins and nucleic acids for bioengineering and rational drug design applications. We apply structural and computational biology, biophysical chemistry, and bioinformatics methods to attack these problems. I teach concepts in molecular thermodynamics, bioenergetics, and quantum chemistry as they apply to biochemical problems in BC411/511 (Physical Biochemistry) and concepts of graphic design to undergraduate and graduate students in the sciences in BC580A3 (Visual Communication in the Science).

I currently teach Principles of Biochemistry BC351, Comprehensive Biochemistry Laboratory BC404 and mentor biochemistry students for their Thesis BC499. I also serve on the Undergraduate Affairs Committee and advise biochemistry students.

My research centers on infusing active learning approaches in teaching cell biology and biochemistry and developing and testing ways of engaging students in the course concepts and big ideas through undergraduate research experiences and application to socio-scientific issues.

The research in our lab is focused on how various molecules conspire to coordinate the transport and delivery of cellular cargoes to their appropriate destinations. We pay particularly close attention to various classes of molecular motors -- nano-sized ATP-powered machines -- and how they are regulated to perform their myriad functions throughout the life of a cell.

The Computational Biochemistry Laboratory focuses on understanding molecular regulation by  exploring protein interactions and macromolecular assemblies. We combine High-Performance-Computing (HPC) and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to create computational models of bimolecular complexes and systems in multiple scales, form quantum chemistry to systems biology. Our models are informed by a deep understanding of the biological and physiological context of the target systems, and focus on providing mechanistic insight.

My lab is interested in how mRNA transcripts are regulated at the single-cell and sub-cellular levels in developing embryos. We use a combination of experimental and computational approaches in the animal model C. elegans to examine the mechanisms and consequences of mRNA regulation.

My primary interests lie in the fields of photosynthesis and algal eco-physiology. In particular, I’m interested in the diversity of mechanisms that algae use to protect themselves from too much light and other abiotic stresses.

The picornaviruses are a family of small positive sense single stranded RNA viruses that cause a wide range of diseases in humans and animals. These include the rhinoviruses that cause the common cold and poliovirus, the prototypical member of this family. We are interested in understanding the molecular details of picornaviral replication and are using structural biology and biophysical techniques to determine the structure of viral proteins and study their interactions.

I have dual appointments in two departments 1) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and 2) Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. In the courses I teach, I share my passion for science and strive to instill principles of scientific integrity, collegiality, professionalism and the drive required to succeed. In LIFE 212, students learn the basic scientific skills of data collection and interpretation, critical thinking, and technical writing, all while learning the experimental methods and technology that are commonly used in cell and molecular biology research labs.

Numerous diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are associated with protein misfolding into ordered aggregates, called amyloid fibrils. We are using yeast prions as a model system for examining the causes and consequences of amyloid fibril formation.

Members of the Archaea often thrive in unique, harsh and ever-changing biological niches. These changing environments necessitate precise and timely regulation of gene expression. Our laboratory focuses on the regulation of transcription, from a global perspective to a detailed structure-function analysis of the archaeal transcription apparatus. We apply combined biochemical and genetic methods to investigate not only transcription, but mechanisms of DNA replication, repair and recombination and energy-production strategies in hyperthermophliic archaea. We have more recently expanded our approaches to investigate how mobile genetic elements influence the regulation of DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Finally, in a completely new line of research, we aim to define biosignatures of life within our solar system.

Our research is focused on the molecular mechanisms of replication stress tolerance and checkpoint signaling.

My current research is directed at the development of a Learning Outcomes Assessment Instrument for a single semester biochemistry course. Outcome assessments are an educational instrument designed to assess whether a student has an accurate understanding/working knowledge of a set of defined and specific concepts within an academic discipline. Instruments like these are currently being used in biology, physics, and chemistry to evaluate the effectiveness of new teaching methodologies within these disciplines.

Computational design, simulation, and experimental validation of new enzymes, and crystalline biomolecular assemblies. We convert porous protein crystals into “3D molecular pegboards” for the controlled assembly of nanoparticles, enzymes, fluorescent proteins, oligonucleotides, and other functional molecules.

Transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II involves a highly regulated series of events dependent upon many protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. By combining yeast genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysical techniques, we are using a multi-faceted approach to understand the functions of the transcription machinery in the chromatin context of living cells.

My lab combines fluorescence microscopy, novel fluorescent probe development, genetic engineering, and computational modeling to visualize and quantify single-gene expression in living cells. We dream of creating 'lightbulbs" for genes at the level of DNA transcription and mRNA translation to visualize gene activity in real-time and in-vivo. The hope is to create technology to literally see which genes are on in a specific cell. By visualizing the cell genotype in real-time, we hope to predict and ultimately control its future phenotype during important processes, such as differentiation and cancer development.

Unraveling the functions of 3D chromatin structure during quiescence.

My research focuses on studying cellular alterations in actin cytoskeleton and actin-binding proteins implicated in breast cancer cell migration

I am an adjunct professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and currently teach two introductory lecture courses in LIFE: Introductory Genetics (LIFE201B) and Introductory Eukaryotic Cell Biology (LIFE210).

Our lab studies the interface between the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and chromatin regulation. Modification of components of chromatin and its associated machinery by ubiquitin can serve as a regulatory switch that have diverse functions in transcription and DNA repair. We are using a variety of biochemical and cell biology approaches to define the molecular mechanisms that regulate the dynamics of ubiquitin conjugation and deconjugation in these processes.