FSU Biology - Faculty Research Interests - Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Genomics -->

FACULTY
  • Hank W. Bass  
    Telomeres, meiosis, and chromatin structure in maize through genetics, genomics, and 3D molecular cytology.
  • George W. Bates  
    Plant cell and molecular biology; cell fusion, transformation, recombinant DNA, and plant cell culture.
  • Brian P. Chadwick  
    X chromosome inactivation; chromatin organization; epigenetic gene regulation.
  • Hongchang Cui  
    Cell fate specification and reprogramming in plants; evolutionary and developmental biology; plant-environment interaction; genomics and epigenomics; proteomics; molecular genetics.
  • Wu-Min Deng  
    Cell-cell communication, cell-extracellular martix interaction, Cell Polarity, Drosophila genetics and development, Drosophila model for muscular dystrophy.
  • Jonathan H. Dennis  
    The biology of chromatin involved in the innate immune response.
  • Lloyd M. Epstein  
    Eukaryotic molecular genetics; autocatalytic processing of RNA; genome organization and evolution.
  • Debra A. Fadool  
    Olfactory signal transduction; ion channel structure-function; neuromodulation. 
  • James M. Fadool  
    Developmental biology; cellular and genetic analysis of visual system development
  • David Gilbert  
    Structure and replication of chromosomes in stem cells and cancer.
  • David Houle  
    Evolutionary and population genetics.
  • Kimberly A. Hughes
    Evolutionary, ecological, and behavioral genomics.
  • Kathryn M. Jones
    Rhizobial/plant symbiotic interactions.
  • Laura R. Keller  
    Molecular genetics; signal transduction and regulation of gene expression.
  • Thomas C. S. Keller  
    Cell and molecular biology of the cytoskeleton; cytoskeleton regulation and energetics.
  • Lisa C. Lyons  
    Signaling and circadian modulation regulating associative memory
  • Karen M. McGinnis  
    Molecular genetics; genomics; epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plants.
  • William H. Outlaw  
    Plant physiology.
  • Darin R Rokyta
    Molecular and statistical properties of adaptive evolution.
  • M. Elizabeth Stroupe
    Integrated structural approaches to understanding the relationship between the structure of chromatin and the mechanism for gene expression.
  • Hengli Tang Virus-host cell interactions; Cell biology of HCV replication;
    Cellular co-factors for HIV and HCV infection.
  • Hong-Guo Yu
    Chromosome structural formation; regulation of transcription and recombination; molecular genetics and functional genomics.
  • Fanxiu Zhu
    Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV); viral strategies of immune evasion; functional and structural analysis of gamma-herpesviral tegument.

Our research focuses on how genetic information is used and regulated at the molecular, cellular and, in some cases, whole-animal level. We utilize genetic mutants to define gene function in organisms ranging from microbes to mammals. Experimental approaches include classical genetic screens for phenotypic markers; molecular analyses of gene structure and function; gene identification, cloning, construction, and mapping; and assessment of molecular evolution, signal transduction, and gene activity. Inter-laboratory activities (e.g. joint lab meetings, departmental seminars, topical seminar series) promote faculty and student interactions and the critique of current research and the scientific literature. Close work with associated departments/programs (e.g. Chemistry Department, the Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Structural Biology Program, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory) enhances the access to state-of-the-art research technologies provided by the Department of Biological Science core facilities. Emphasizing high-quality, nationally competitive research, our diverse laboratories provide balance and breadth in graduate and post-graduate training.