Spring 2008
BIOL 1102 Introduction to Biology II
BIOL 3200 and 3200L Introduction to Genetics with Lab
BIOL 4300 Biotechnology Laboratory
Fall 2007
BIOL 3200 and 3200L Introduction to Genetics with Lab
BIOL 3900 Biotechnology
Research Interests:
My research and teaching experience is in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I am interested in how DNA controls the function of living cells and with the structure of the molecules that perform those functions. I am the Principal Investigator of a Research Award from the National Science Foundation to study the mechanisms of viral genome evolution. We study the DNA sequence of the genomes of viruses related to T4 bacteriophage (“bacteria eaters”). Viral genome sequencing has proven to be an excellent system for allowing undergraduates to participate in publication quality research. They learn methods that will benefit them if they decide to pursue a career in molecular biology, and they get the satisfaction of contributing to the scientific goals of the project. Our comparison of genome sequences identified ~10% difference in gene content among genomes that are 96% identical over the rest of their length. An analysis of these gene differences will be used to identify mechanisms of genome evolution.
