You're searching for faculty members in:
Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of

57 matches found.

	Mimi Adachi Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Walter Atwood Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Our laboratory is focused on studying the pathogenesis of the human polyomaviruses, JC Virus (JCV) and BK Virus (BKV). Reactivation of JCV under conditions of immunosuppression leads to the fatal demyelinating disease in humans known as Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). Approximately 5% of patients with AIDS will develop PML and the majority succumb within two years of diagnosis. Reactivation of BKV in kidney transplant recipients has emerged as a major problem in the last decade and is responsible for nearly half of all kidney transplant failures. The major focus of the lab is studying early events that mediate infection of cells by these viruses.
	Samuel I. Beale Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of The goal of my research is to understand the biochemical mechanisms for the formation of tetrapyrrole pigments (hemes, chlorophylls, and bilins) and how the biosynthesis of these pigments is regulated, especially in plants, algae, and bacteria.
	Judith Bender Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Judith Bender studies gene regulation mechanisms using the plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism. A major research focus is gene silencing, a process where gene expression is blocked by making DNA inaccessible to activating factors. In plants and animals silencing is critical for normal development and for protecting the genome from the spread of invasive parasitic DNA sequences. The Bender laboratory is particularly interested in how silencing is accurately targeted.
	Alexander Brodsky Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Cancer genomics and systems biology We are exploring the role of RNA processing in response to hormones such as estrogen in breast cancer. We are identifying novel components mediating hormone control of cancer cells that are regulated post-transcriptionally. We are also probing hormone combinations mediating cancer cell growth and death. We are testing how these regulatory networks affect cancer cells in mouse models and in genomic data obtained from patients.
	Annette Coleman Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Most recently my laboratory has examined the nature, quantity and mode of distribution of DNA genomes of mitochondria and plastids. The second area of laboratory concentration concerns the species problem, how separate species evolve. The work examines particular species and genera of the volvocales, freshwater green algae, brown algae, and abalones, and the analysis includes mating compatibility, chromosome number, and DNA relatedness as determined by sequencing.
	John Coleman Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Robbert Creton Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Our laboratory is interested in the molecular and cellular physiology of early embryonic development. The main line of research is focused on calcium signaling in the developing zebrafish brain. A second project examines the effects of environmental exposures on zebrafish brain development and behavior. Obtained results may provide new insights in the origin of human birth defects.
	Albert Dahlberg Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Understanding the catalytic role of ribosomal RNA in protein synthesis has been the central focus of my laboratory for a number of years. Our primary approach has involved the use of genetic methods, specifically mutagenesis of plasmid-encoded rDNA.
	Alison DeLong Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of We are using molecular and genetic approaches to gain insight into the mechanisms that control plant growth and development. Many plant signal transduction pathways involve reversible protein phosphorylation events that regulate key steps in development, as well as responses to the environment. Our goal is to gain insight into the function of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an enzyme that performs important roles in phosphorylation circuits governing growth, morphogenesis and cell fate.
	Richard Ellis Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	William Fairbrother Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of My lab uses a combination of computational biology and high throughput genomics techniques to identify functional elements in the genome. I am particularly interested in sequence elements that regulate RNA splicing. Specific projects that move beyond identifying splicing signals include 1) understanding how particular arrangements of sequence elements are read by the splicing machinery, 2) identifying mutations/polymorphisms that disrupt splicing in the human population, and 3) investigating the evolution of gene expression signals.
	Anne Fausto-Sterling Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Professor Fausto-Sterling's work applies dynamic systems theory to the study of human development. Newspapers are awash with reports of genes for this or that complex human trait (obesity, alcoholism, homosexuality, gender differences in math and science). A great divide exists between people who accept biological explanations of human difference and those who reject biology in favor of social explanations. Her big ambition is to restructure dichotomous conversations--inside the academy, in public discourse, and ultimately in the framing of social policy--in order to enable an understanding of the inseparability of nature/nurture.
	Michael Foulk Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Richard Freiman Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Our laboratory is interested in deciphering mechanisms of gene expression patterns critical for proper organ development and function in mammals. We primarily use gene targeting in the mouse as a genetic tool to perturb the normal function of gene regulatory proteins in mammalian development. As an application of our research, we aim to understand how the disruption of normal gene expression networks may affect the etiology of disease states in humans, such as infertility and ovarian cancer.
	Susan Gerbi Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Tools of molecular biology allow us to analyze the structure, function, and evolution of eukaryotic nucleic acids. Currently, there are two main projects in which we are involved: DNA Replication and Ribosomal RNA. http://www.brown.edu/mcb/gerbi.html
	Steven Gregory Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Sheila Haley Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Jody Hall Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Stephen Helfand Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Molecular genetics of aging and longevity. Our research has focused on understanding the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying the process of aging and the determination of life span using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system.
	Peter Heywood Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of I am interested in cell structure and function in the protists, in particular, the flagellar apparatus, cytoskeleton and mechanisms of mitosis in raphidophycean algae and trypanosomes. My interest includes the interface between biology and environmental science, for example, the role of agricultural intensification (i.e., the Green Revolution and agricultural biotechnologies) in providing food for expanding human populations while also maintaining the sustainability of environmental resources.
	Andrew Holowinsky Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Gerwald Jogl Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of We are using X-ray crystallography as our main research tool to study proteins that are either involved in functional protein-protein interactions or are related to cellular signal transduction pathways. The overall goal of our studies is to advance our understanding of the functions and structural interactions of modular protein domains in the context of multi-domain proteins that are involved in cell signaling networks.
	Mark Johnson Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of My lab uses pollen tube growth and guidance as a model system to understand the mechanisms of invasive cell growth, guidance of cellular migration, and determination of cellular polarity. We study the fertilization process in flowering plants because the success of this fundamental component of the life cycle depends on a lengthy and precisely guided cellular journey.
	Jan Klysik Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Dr. Klysik studies genes involved in tumor suppression and signal transduction. He uses chemical mutagenesis and KO approaches in his work.
	Jill Kreiling Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Environmental toxicants are ubiquitous in nature and the effects of early embryonic exposure are a public health concern. The focus of my research is on the characterization of known environmental pollutants on early embryonic development of the central nervous system. Currently, we are investigating the neurodevelopmental effects of embryonic exposure to PCB 52, PCB 105, and PCB 153, which have been documented to co-exist in the environment and are found contaminating homes on Cape Cod, MA.
	Arthur Landy Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Professor Landy studies mechanisms in site-specific recombination, global regulation of cell physiology, and protein-DNA interactions.
	Jeffrey Laney Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Rapid and accurate transitions between different gene expression programs are vitally important for cells to respond to changing metabolic requirements, developmental programs, and extracellular stimuli. The goal of our research program is to understand how a cell exploits the dynamic process of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis to change patterns of gene expression and switch between alternate phenotypic states.
	Thilo Sascha Lange Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Elizabeth Hortense Leduc Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Michael McKeown Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of My lab is interested in the way genes interact to control interesting processes in complex organisms, with particular emphasis on generation of complex behaviors and neural degeneration. We use the non-pathogenic fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Since a major fraction of critical genes, proteins, and developmental and neural mechanisms are conserved between flies and vertebrates, a substantial fraction of our findings are directly or indirectly informative about humans. Much or our current work focuses on the gene and neural networks controlling sexual behavior and orientation. Since males and females generate sex-specific behaviors, this is a powerful system in which to dissect development of mutually exclusive behaviors.
	Kenneth Raymond Miller Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of I am interested in the detailed relationships of structure and function in biological membranes. One of the principal experimental systems which my lab has used is to investigate these relationships in the photosynthetic membrane. By using the freeze-etching technique, metal replicas can be prepared for the electron microscope which capture the fine details of membrane structure. These can be correlated with the polypeptide and lipid composition of the membrane.
	Eric Morrow Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of The Morrow lab investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying disorders of cognitive development, such as intellectual disability and autism. The long-term aim of this research is to establish a basic foundation for improved genetic diagnosis and treatment interventions designed to enhance cognitive and functional gains for patients. Because these disorders are highly genetic and in order to identify core molecular mechanisms, genome-wide "forward genetic" strategies to identify genetic mutations have been a principal focus. In complement to this, molecular and neurodevelopmental studies of identified pathways are underway in experimental systems in human and mouse tissues.
	Kimberly Mowry Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Research in my laboratory is focused on the problem of polarity, using the Xenopus oocyte as a model system. Our long-term goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which informational molecules, such as mRNA and protein, are localized to specified regions of the cell cytoplasm.
	Jeffrey Mumm Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Ursula Munoz-Najar Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Rebecca Page Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of The focus of my research is to understand the molecular basis of MAP kinase regulation by its interaction with kinases, via scaffolding proteins, and phosphatases. We combine structural data from X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy with biophysical data from ITC, CD spectroscopy and kinetics to understand how MAPK activity is controlled in vitro and in vivo. We are also investigating the structures and functions of bacterial proteins that play central roles in antibiotic resistance.
	Jeffrey Poland Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Walter Quevedo Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Professor Quevedo's longstanding interest in the developmental biology of animal coloration stimulated his research focused on increasing the effectiveness of natural skin mechanisms which protect sun-exposed skin from developing malignant melanoma and other pigmented tumors which afflict human beings.
	Robert Reenan Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of We are interested in evolution of brain function and behavior. Our primary model system is Drosophila, the fruit fly, for its powerful traditional and molecular genetics. Our main question is—how do genomes encode and regulate proteins involved in rapid electrical and chemical signaling in the brain, normally and in disease? Surprisingly, this has led us into studies of RNA editing, comparative genomics, small non-coding RNA, heterochromatin, evolution of RNA structure, and amyloidogenesis.
	Frank Rothman Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Professor Rothman's research on the regulation of gene expression in bacteria and cellular slime molds was funded by nine consecutive grants from NSF between 1961 and 1984. Journals in which he has published include the Journal of Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Cell.
	Lynn Rothschild Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Marcos Boris Rotman Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Arthur Salomon Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of My interests include: elucidation of signaling networks relevant to human disease and exploring perturbations in phosphorylation patterns induced by pharmacological agents. Recently I described a mass spectrometric-based technique that allows efficient profiling of hundreds of phosphorylation sites over time from human total cellular lysates. This technique will be automated by implementation of a high-throughput phosphoproteomics platform to determine global cellular phosphorylation patterns. I intend to employ this platform to map complex signaling networks under normal and pathological conditions.
	Christoph Schorl Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	John Sedivy Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of John Sedivy is recognized for his efforts in mammalian cell genetics, having developed and pioneered methods for gene targeting of somatic cells. In 1995 his laboratory isolated the first viable gene knockout of the Myc oncogene, and in 1997 the first homozygous gene knockout in a normal human cell. Part of his research program continues to investigate cell cycle regulation in cancer. Since 1998 his research has also focused on the biology of human aging at the cellular level. These projects currently investigate how telomere shortening as well as telomere-independent stresses cause cellular senescence.
	Tricia Serio Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of In a variety of systems, proteins have been linked to processes historically limited to nucleic acids, such as infectivity and inheritance. Such proteins, termed prions, adopt multiple physical and therefore functional states in vivo, an attribute underlying their atypical roles in the cell. Our work seeks to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that module prion protein conformational flexibility in vivo using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an experimental model.
	Mitchell Sogin Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Jia Song Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Kathy Takayama Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Marjorie Thompson Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Administration Dean Thompson oversees academic advising, programs, resources, and curricular development for undergraduates in all biological sciences programs. She teaches Histology in the Medical school, and Embryology in the Undergraduate college. Activities include educational development, original artwork and original music composition.
	David Warren Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Gary Wessel Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Our research interest is the egg. We examine the molecular biology of oogenesis, fertilization, and the specification of primordial germ cells during early development. We explore conserved mechanisms found in mice, starfish, and especially in sea urchins.
	Kristi Wharton Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of The goal of the research in our laboratory is to understand how TGF-B signaling molecules facilitate the communication between cells. Cellular communication is essential to the proper manifestation of cell movements, growth, and differentiation during the development of multi-cellular organisms.
	Yutaka Yamamoto Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of
	Mark Zervas Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Dopamine neurons and the innervation of their targets mediate complex behaviors and their degeneration or aberrant function underpins Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. My lab investigates how dopamine neuron circuits develop, how & when the loss of dopamine neurons of a distinct genetic lineage affects brain function, mechanisms of specifying/maintaining dopamine neurons and cell-based therapies to ameliorate deficits in genetically altered mice with features of neurological disorders.
	Stanley Zimmering Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of