Biology

Title: Associate Professor
Department: Biochemistry (chair)
Other Departments: Biology
Degrees: B.A., Williams College; M.A., Ph.D., Princeton University

Contact Info

Email: mnelson@allegheny.edu
Phone: (814) 332-2788
Website: Click here

Office Info

Office Location: Steffee Hall B213
Office Hours: M 1:30-3:30; T 2-4; W 10-12

Research Interests

I am interested in the way in which signal transduction pathways allow cells to interpret and respond to external cues during development. My research is currently focused on the role that two proteins, FbxA and FbiA, play in the development ofDictyostelium discoideum. FbxA is a member of an evolutionarily conserved protein family that regulates cell behavior by targeting specific components of signal transduction pathways for degradation. Malfunctions in this degradation system have been implicated as a potential causative agent in several human diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. Data from former comp projects suggest that FbiA may be a target of FbxA-mediated degradation. Proteins homologous to FbiA are found in a wide array of eukaryotes, including fungi, plants,C. elegans, Drosophila, mice, and humans. The function of these FbiA homologues is, however, unknown. Hence, further characterization of FbiA’s role in Dictyosteliumdevelopment may shed light on the function of this conserved protein family.

Work in the near future will address questions such as: (i) when and where the FbiA protein is expressed, (ii) what signaling pathway(s) are responsible for the complex, developmentally regulated pattern of fbiA RNA expression, (iii) why the absence of FbiA disrupts pattern formation, and (iv) whether FbxA & FbiA interact in a biologically relevant fashion. Depending upon the project you choose, you might employ any of the following techniques: restriction digests, agarose gel electrophoresis, plasmid & genomic DNA preps, PCR, introduction of recombinant DNA molecules into cells (bacteria, Dictyostelium), cell propagation and sterile technique (bacteria, Dictyostelium), protein purification, protein gels, Western blots, histochemical staining, phase contrast microscopy, immunofluorescent microscopy, bright-field microscopy (stereozoom scope), and digital photography.