Department of Biology
MSC 03 2020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-0884
Department of Biology
MSC 03 2020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-0884
FACULTY MEMBER |
DEPARTMENT |
RESEARCH INTERESTS |
Living cells are dynamic -- transporting components inside, changing their shape, and locomoting. In the central nervous system, this dynamic behavior establishes, maintains and modifies neuronal connections. We use a range of microscopic imaging and molecular techniques to understand the mechanisms of these dynamics using model systems, including squid giant axon, transport of Herpes simplex virus, and human blood platelets. These studies address fundamental questions pertaining to learning and memory. |
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The goal of our laboratory is to define post-transcriptional mechanisms of cell cycle regulation in the early embryonic cell cycle of Xenopus laevis and in the cancer cell cycle. The long-term goal of the Principal Investigator's laboratory is to understand how the cell cycle is regulated during the development of a multicellular organism. |
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Vascular physiology and blood pressure control |
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The role of crayfish in interrupting transmission of schistosomiasis in Kenya, mammalian schistosomes found in North America; and conservation-related aspects of host-parasite biology. |
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Receptor-mediated signal transduction, with an emphasis on changes in cellular function arising from certain receptor signaling pathways during tumorigenesis and tumor progression. |
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Natural product genome mining and comparative genomics. Natural product drug discovery and chemical ecology. Natural product biosynthesis. Development of natural product detection systems. Development of novel strategies for manipulation of natural product biosynthetic pathways. |
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Acquiring, describing and analyzing morphological data best, but I am also interested in getting high-quality molecular data, especially nuclear protein-coding genes. |
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Marsupial immunology |
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How microbes help form the colorful ferromanganese deposits that coat the walls of Lechuguilla and Spider Cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park (funded by the National Science Foundation Life in Extreme Environments Program); how these deposits compare to surface desert/rock varnish coatings (funded by the NSF Geosciences Directorate); how microbes participate in the precipitation of calcium carbonate formations called pool fingers; and the microbial diversity located in the hydrogen sulfide cave |
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Ecosystem ecology, microbiology, nutrient cycling. |
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Signal transduction through IgE Receptors (FcεRI) and ErbB family of growth factor receptors; Plasma membrane microdomains for signaling and internalization; Spatio-temporal aspects of cell signaling |
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Avian systematics and molecular evolution; evolutionary inference using phylogenetic comparative methods; biogeography of the Neotropics; hummingbird evolution and comparative physiology; high-altitude adaptation; integrative ornithology. |
FACULTY MEMBER |
DEPARTMENT |
RESEARCH INTERESTS |
Molecular and cellular biology of messenger RNA (mRNA) biosynthesis and intracellular trafficking in mammalian muscle cell differentiation, development and cancer; molecular genetics of muscular dystrophies and muscle cell cancers |
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Molecular mechanisms of metastasis and androgen independence in prostate cancer. Field cancerization of breast and prostate tissues and clinical implications for diagnosis and prognosis. Telomere and telomerase biology. |
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Signal transduction in systems for learning and memory, prenatal exposure to ethanol |
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Genetic control of heart and skeletal muscle development |
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Genome mining for chemical and biological diversity; synthetic biology for the environment; enzyme evolution, structure, function and drug targeting. |
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Spatial-Temporal Modeling of Signaling Networks |
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The role of the transcription factor, NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle phenotype and its implication in the development of high blood pressure within the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) associated with lung disease or residence at high altitude |
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Using gene sequences to detect human diseases |
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Molecular Bases of Human Genetic Disease and Programmed Cell Death in Health and Disease |
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Vascular physiology, hypertension and blood pressure control |
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The study of the toxicity and cacinogenesis of metal ion |
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Internal defense systems in invertebrates |
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Plant systematics; tropical flowering plants; plant hybridization; plant breeding systems & reproductive biology |
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Molecular evolution in Neurospora |
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The genetic complement of Neurospora crassa |
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The focus of research is on the differentiation-dependent life cycles of PVs and how the life cycles are disrupted leading to malignancies |
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structures, cellular functions, and regulation of V-type ATPase pumps (V-ATPases). |
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Protein regulation during brain development processes of learning and memory |
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molecular interactions in yeast pre-mRNA splicing |
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Small GTPases and drug discovery for ovarian cancer, polycystic kidney disease and peripheral neuropathy |