Molecular Biology
Faculty
Sal J. Caradonna, PhD
Professor and Chair
Science Center 120
caradonn@umdnj.edu
856 566-6056My laboratory is interested in the post-translational mechanisms that regulate the proteins involved in base-excision repair of DNA. We are studying the aberrant pathways that lead to uracil misincorporation into DNA as well as the regulated cytosine deamination pathways of the APOBEC family of cytosine deaminases.
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Subhasis Biswas, PhD
Professor
Science Center 306A
856 566-6270
biswassb@umdnj.eduOur laboratory is interested in dissecting the mechanisms of DNA replication in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems with goals of developing novel anti-microbials and anti-proliferation drugs.
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Katrina Cooper, PhD
Assistant Professor
Science Center, Room 362
856 566-2887
cooperka@umdnj.eduFollowing stress cells have to orchestrate a myriad of responses to survive or die. Incorrect choices can led to deleterious outcomes, e.g. tumor formation. To study this, we use S. cerevisiae, human cells and mouse models. We focus on the conserved cyclin C protein that is destroyed in response to stress. Our working hypothesis is that cyclin C is a novel stress related tumor suppressor.
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Ronald Ellis, PhD
Associate Professor
Science Center 316
856 566-2768
Fax: 856 566-6291
ron.ellis@umdnj.eduControl of Germ Cell Fate: Animals must produce sperm or eggs to reproduce. Although these cell types differ dramatically, they are produced from similar progenitors. Understanding how this process is controlled could revolutionize our ability to treat reproductive disorders and infertility in humans. Evolution of Hermaphroditism: Sexual traits are among the most rapidly changing features of each species. To learn how these changes take place, and how developmental pathways constrain which ones occur, we are studying the evolution of mating systems in nematodes.
Jennifer Fischer, PhD
Instructor
Science Center 128
856 566-6098
fischeje@umdnj.eduMy research works to define the role of mitochondrial dUTPase on the integrity of DNA molecules in the organelle. I am also interested in mapping post-translational modifications that affect base-excision repair of uracil in DNA.
Gary S. Goldberg, PhD
Associate Professor
Science Center B307
856 566-6718
garygoldberg@comcast.netCells must communicate with each other to coordinate the development and survival of an animal. This communication can be mediated by diffusible factors that pass between cells, or by direct contact through cell junctions. I am interested in how intercellular communication affects cell growth and differentiation, with an emphasis on how cell communication can control tumor cell growth and prevent eye diseases.
Michael Henry, PhD
Assistant Professor
Science Center 320
856 566-6970
henrymf@umdnj.eduWe use the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system to understand the molecular mechanisms by which RNA precursors are processed in the nucleus. More precisely, our goal is to understand the role of posttranslational protein modification in this process.
Kai Mon Lee, PhD
Assistant Professor
A novel approach to the study of globin gene switching:
University Doctors Pavilion, 2214
856 566-6152
klee@umdnj.edu- Translational control
- Structural features that modulate efficiency of translation of mRNA
- Apoptosis in leukemia cells and its application to cancer therapy
- Organizational of chromosomes in the nucleus (in collaboration with Dr. R. Nagele)
Eric Moss, PhD
Associate Professor
Science Center 312
856 566-2896
mosseg@umdnj.eduWe study developmental timing, microRNAs and translational control in C. elegans and the mouse. The worm heterochronic gene lin-28 is regulated by microRNAs and encodes a specific mRNA-binding protein. Its human homologue, Lin28, appears also to be a microRNA-controlled developmental regulator.
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Susan Muller-Weeks, PhD
Assistant Professor
Science Center 130
856 566-6097
muller@umdnj.eduResearch in the laboratory focuses on the repair of uracil in DNA, which is critical for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Specifically we are elucidating transcriptional and post-translational pathways that regulate expression of uracil-DNA glycosylase under normal cellular conditions and in response to anti-tumor agents.
John G. Pastorino, PhD
Assistant Professor
Faculty and Research Interests
856 566-6041
pastorjg@umdnj.edu
Our work identifies distinctions in mitochondrial function between normal and cancerous cells for the potential discovery of novel chemotherapeutic targets that can be exploited to selectively induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Mitochondrial injury is also central to number of disease states.
Randy Strich, PhD
Associate Professor
Science Center 354
856-566-6043
strichra@umdnj.eduOur laboratory focuses on understanding how the transcription program is coupled to meiotic progression in budding yeast. A second project investigates the activity of the conserved C-type cyclin in directing the oxidative stress response and apoptosis in yeast and mammalian systems.
