MBRS SCORE/RISE Faculty - Research Interests

Ananaba, Godwin A., Associate Professor, Ph.D., Atlanta University, 1988.
[Biochemical Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology]
Research efforts center on the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions with the ultimate goal of engineering efficacious vaccine(s) against the pathogens. The role of epithelial cells in the recruitment, maintenance and effector functions of immune cells following chlamydia infection of the reproductive tract, and respiratory syncytial virus infection of the pulmonary mucosa are important. Mechanisms of xenobiotic-induced carcinogenesis are also of interest.

Bu, Xiu-ren, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Nanjing University, 1988.
[Organic and Coordination Chemistry]
Research efforts include (1) development of bioactive antitumor agents based on transition metal complexes; (2) application of organometallics and complexes to organic transformations important to synthesis of bioactive organic agents; (3) development of new ligands and host molecules for selective binding of heavy metals or organic guest molecules for environmental evaluation and remediation.

Chaudhary, Jaideep, Associate Professor, Ph.D., National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi, India. 1991.
[Endocrinology]
The overall lab hypothesis is to understand molecular events wherein a differentiated cell becomes undifferentiated, bypasses senescence, undergoes immortalization and eventually becomes transformed. By integrating a multitude of molecular, transcriptomic and genomic approaches we address the fundamental biology of these events that eventually leads to neoplastic transformation. The model systems that we use to address these molecular pathways are the prostate and ovary. Following are some of the specific projects in our laboratory: Role of dominant negative helix loop helix proteins in the initiation and maintenance of prostate cancer; Fundamental biology of Id gene/ protein expression (regulation of expression of specific isoforms, mRNA/ protein stability/ interaction partners and downstream effectors); Large scale genomic and transcriptomic changes during neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells (prostate); Androgen regulated pathways in prostate epithelial cells.

Cook, Deborah, Associate Professor, Ph.D., North Dakota State University, 1986.
[Botany]
Research efforts center on the molecular biology of salt stress, adaptation, and tolerance in salt tolerant and salt sensitive plants, and the role of the MAP kinase cascade as a signal transduction pathway in plant adaptation to salt stress.

Habte-Mariam, Yitbarek, Professor, Ph.D., Rutgers - The State University, 1977.
[Physical Chemistry]
Research efforts center on (a) the modeling of the redox chemistry of the anthracyclines by quantum chemical-topological (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses, and (b) the reactivity-guided design of anthracycline analogs for potential improvement in chemotherapeutic values. These efforts are united by a common theme of our long-term objective, which is getting insight into the molecular bases of the actions of the anthracyclines.

Jideama, Nathan, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Atlanta University, 1986.
[Molecular Biology]
Research efforts center on determining the function of site-specific phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 in cardiac muscle physiology. The biochemical and physiological relevance of MLC 2 phosphopeptides generated by protein kinase C and myosin light chain kinase phosphorylation are evaluated.

Khan, Ishrat M. Professor, Ph. D., University of Florida, 1984.
[Organic Polymer Chemistry]
Research efforts center on developing biofunctional macromolecules for medical, therapeutic, biomimetic applications. In order to accomplish this, we are developing synthetic macromolecules with higher structural orders (e.g., helices) and functional macromolecules in the nanoscale (less then 100 nm) range with relevant biological properties/ functions/specificity.

Khan, Shafiq A., Eminent Scholar/Professor, Ph.D.,
University of Karolinska Institute, 1985.
[Reproductive Endocrinology]
Research efforts center on proliferation and differentiation of cells in male and female reproductive tract under both normal and disease states. The primary objective is to identify endocrine, paracrine and autocrine regulators of testicular and ovarian cell proliferation and differentiation and function, and study the mechanisms involved in development and maintenance of ovarian and prostate cancers.

Logan, David A., Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, 1981.
[Microbiology]
Research efforts center on the physiology and genetics of Neurospora crassa and the dimorphic fungi Mucor racemosus and Candida albicans. The work in N. crassa is specifically focused on the regulation of the quinic acid gene cluster, and studies in M. racemosus and C. albicans deal with the biology of a developmentally regulated serine carboxypeptidase.

Mickens, Ronald E., Professor, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 1968.
[Mathematical Modeling, Nonlinear Dynamics, Numerical Analysis]
Research efforts center on the application of mathematical techniques to solve and analyze the differential and difference equations that arise in the modeling of dynamic systems in the biological, physical, and engineering sciences. A major emphasis is placed on how such models are to be constructed.

Mintz, Eric A., Professor, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1978.
[Organic Chemistry]
Silver and copper are easily immobilized on a solid substrate. If the surface supporting the bound copper or silver is modified, by including surface active groups that bind bacteria, an even more effective disinfectant is produced. Therefore, research efforts center on developing methods to functionalize glass, silica, and alumina. Electroless plating will then be used to deposit silver, or copper, or a combination of both onto the surface. The binding of microorganism to these surfaces is also examined.

Musey, Paul I., Professor, Ph.D., McGill University, 1971.
[Biochemistry, Biochemical Endocrinology]
Research efforts center on studies in reproductive endocrinology; biosynthesis, metabolism and enzymology of steroid hormones; effects of environmental factors on hormones; endocrine toxicology; use and development of immunoassays.

Seffens, William. Associate Professor, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1989.
[Plant Embryogenesis]
Research efforts center on the examination of relationship between mRNA folding and codon-choice to develop a classification of protein and mRNA sequences in GENBANK. Neural network model implementation. Computer modelling of proteins from calculated flexibility index and relationship to surface-active properties.