Genomic and proteomic analysis of HPV-induced cervical and oral cancers; Replication of B. anthracis virulence plasmids; PcrA helicases of S. aureus and B. anthracis

Description of projects available to graduate students:
We are studying the molecular biology of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Opportunities are available to study the changes in cellular and viral gene expression profiles during the pathogenesis of HPV-induced cervical and oral cancers using DNA microarrays. We are also studying the role of an essential DNA helicase, PcrA, in B. anthracis and S. aureus. Opportunities are available to study the biochemical roles of PcrA helicase in vitro and to knock-out the pcrA gene of B. anthracis and identify its specific roles in cellular DNA metabolism. We are also studying the replication of the pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids of B. anthracis. Opportunities are available to isolate and characterize the replication regions of these virulence plasmids and study the molecular basis for their maintenance, copy number control and role in pathogenesis. Opportunities are also available to carry out genomic and proteomic analysis of pathogenic strains of S. aureus to identify the genes and proteins that are important in staphylococcal pathogenesis.

Techniques graduate student will learn:
DNA cloning; sequencing;, PCR; site-directed mutagenesis; Southern, Northern and Western blotting; in vitro replication; DNA-protein interactions; tissue culture; protein overexpression and purification; microarray, genomic and proteomic technologies.