Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
208 South Frear Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: 814-865-1247
Click here to send email to atp@psu.edu
|
Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
208 South Frear Laboratory University Park, PA 16802 Telephone: 814-865-1247 Click here to send email to atp@psu.edu |
As an emeritus faculty member, I no longer teach BMB lecture classes but I am still very involved in research on histidine metabolism and several other projects involving microbial physiology and biochemistry. BMB or Microbiology majors who might wish to get some research experience as part of their undergraduate training are encouraged to contact me for information on what my research involves and whether there are currently any openings for undergrad researchers in the laboratory; this information is also available through the BMB Department office which coordinates student research interests with faculty research topics. Below are a few general details that might be of value to those exploring research opportunities. In recent years we usually have had one WISER student conducting research each semester, and I have supervised Honors thesis research for several Scholars Program students as well as persons simply looking for research experience. While I do not have assigned advising duties for BMB undergraduates; if I can be of assistance to anyone needing academic or professional advising, please let me know.
Research focus: Enzymology and molecular
genetics, particularly concerning histidine metabolism
Usual qualifications needed: Some knowledge
of organic chemistry and general microbiology
Mutational techniques are valuable tools in the analysis of
metabolic
pathways and their regulation, as well as for creating altered forms of
enzymes and for obtaining modified genetic material to permit cloning
for
high level gene expression. Students working in this lab may be
involved
in construction and selection of mutants blocked in specific steps of
histidine
degradation. Characterization of the mutants at the molecular
level
may involve enzyme activity analysis, molecular biological techniques
such
as subcloning into a plasmid vector, electrophoresis of restriction
enzyme
digestion products, and isolation of fragments for DNA sequence
analysis.
Also, site-directed mutations may be created to produce other desired
mutational
changes. These studies may be coupled with efforts to purify and
characterize one of the degradative enzymes that has not been well
studied
hithertofore (IPA hydrolase). Alternatively,
isolation
of pathway intermediates, produced either by chemical synthesis or from
blocked mutants, can provide practical experience in the chemical and
biochemical
properties of histidine metabolites.