SURF Mentoring
Potential projects/topics: Lab-based research into the mechanisms of spreading of microbial pathogens via the bloodstream and into the mechanisms of coral bleaching.
Potential skills gained: CRISPR-Cas-based gene modification, fluorescence microscopy, plasmid DNA construction, analysis of cell growth
Required qualifications: No required skills or courses, any major is welcome
Direct mentor: Faculty/P.I.
Mentored presenters may have participated in these courses
BIOC 310
Student Project Titles List
Exploring Gene Product Significance in Pathogenesis of Candida Albicans
The Role of IFA genes in Candida albicans Pathogenesis
Role of fungal cell types of Candida albicans during infection of Danio rerio embryos
Conferring Thermotolerance upon Coral Symbionts through Genetic Transformation
Investigating the Possible Hypervirulence of the Candida albicans Head-to-Head Reporter Plasmid Used to Express Fluorescence
Understanding the Role of Glutathione-S-Transferases in Candida albicans
Research Areas
A fundamental problem in biology is how cells sense and respond to stimuli such as changes in pressure, osmolarity, or mechanical forces. Most of our research employs the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system for understanding the molecular mechanisms required for sensing and responding to changes in external osmolarity and other stresses. Genetic and biochemical analysis of mutants that fail to grow in high (or low) osmolarity media has allowed us to uncover two stress-activated signaling pathways, the hog and cell intensity pathways, respectively. Both of these pathways contain a unique map kinase cascade. We are currently investigating the mechanism of osmosensing and transcriptional regulation by these pathways plus their role in osmotic stress-induced cell cycle delay. A pathway similar to the yeast hog pathway is found in osteoblasts, mammalian cells not usually exposed to osmotic stress. We are therefore investigating the role of the hog pathway in responses of these cells to mechanical stress. In addition, my research group, in collaboration with Dr. Mikos (Bioengineering, Rice U.), is examining the function of the mammalian hog pathway in mediating activation of bone forming cells by mechanical stress.
