molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 1

this issue

Report from the Chair P. 1

Faculty News P. 2

New Faculty P. 9

Retirements and Graduates P. 10

CNU Research Scholars P. 12

New Students P. 13

Student News P. 14

Alumni News P. 19

Grants / Awards / Publications P. 20

Annual

MCB Alumni

Newsletter MCB Molecular and Cellular Biology 06 I S S U E

D e c e m b e r

2 0 1 2

Greetings Alumni and Friends of MCB!

Welcome to the 6th edition of the MCB alumni news! The Ohio University MCB Alumni Group on LinkedIn

(www.linkedin.com) has now grown to 29 members. If you haven’t joined yet, please consider doing so. I personally

think this is a great way to stay connected to your friends at OU and provides you with a professional platform where

you can promote your academic and research accomplishments. Our goal is to have most all MCB alumni connected

via LinkedIn – be sure to join the Ohio University MCB Alumni Group once you have set up your profile. News about

MCB alumni can be found on page 19.

The MCB graduate program added two new faculty members from the Biological Sciences Department – Shawn Kuchta

who is interested in the many factors that influence species formation and biodiversity and Thierry Charlier who studies

steroid hormone effects on the brain. More detailed descriptions of their research interests are found on page 9. Ken

Brown has retired from the University and MCB duties, but now has Professor Emeritus status in the Department Of

Chemistry and Biochemistry. We wish him well.

Our research scholars program with Capital Normal University continues this year with 3 more excellent undergraduate

students spending time here at OU, gaining valuable research experience. Don’t miss the write up on the 1st annual

Appalachian Regional Cell Conference held in Huntington, WV, in October (see page 16). MCB graduate students took

a leading role in organizing the conference making it an unqualified success. In fact, they did such a good job, that OU

was selected for the site of the meeting next year. We congratulate our MCB graduate students on this significant ac-

complishment, especially Yanrong Qian, who led the group of MCB organizers.

Well, there are lots more exciting news stories and noteworthy accomplishments listed in this issue, so browse the

newsletter thoroughly.

Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!

Bob Colvin, MCB Director

December 2012.

Ohio Universi ty

ranks f i rst in s ta te

for universi ty

research l icensing

revenue

Ohio University ranks first among Ohio institutions of higher education for re-search licensing revenue, with faculty inventions gen-erating $8.6 million during fiscal year 2011.

Most of the revenue stems from an OU license to the Pfizer corporation for a growth hormone receptor antagonist discovered by EBI scientist John Kopchick and former graduate student Wen Chen in 1987. The technology has been devel-oped into a drug marketed by the pharmaceutical com-pany SOMAVERT

“The success of our licens-ing agreements allows Ohio University to support the development of additional technologies that can bene-fit public health and well-ness and create new com-panies and jobs for the state of Ohio,” said Joseph Shields, VP for research and Creative activity and dean of the Graduate Col-lege. Read the full story here: Research

2 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

The Institute will be administratively housed in OU-HCOM, with financial and

personnel resources contributed by the College of Health Science of Profes-

sions, the Edison Biotechnology Institute, and the Office of Vice President for

Research and Creative Activity. “This is an important partnership for the

College of Health Sciences and Professions. The Diabetes Institute repre-

sents a huge step forward in the University’s commitment to being a leader in

our focus on diabetes in our academic programs, our research, and our

health outreach to the community,” Dr. Leite said.

Additional funding for The Diabetes Institute comes from the Osteopathic

Heritage Foundations’ gift. Included in the gift is funding for additional faculty

focused on basic and translational diabetes research, including the John J.

Kopchick, Ph.D., Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowed Eminent Re-

search Chair, which honors the most prominent diabetes researcher at Ohio

University and is slated to be filled in five years. Funding from the gift will

also support a new diabetes clinical care and research center and the staff-

ing of that facility with diabetologists, endocrinologist and other specialists

who treat diabetes-related complications

“This is a very exciting and transformational time at OU-HCOM. Our focus in

education is on primary care and inter-disciplinary education. Our focus in

research is on those areas that are the most prevalent in human suffering,”

said OU-HCOM Dean Kenneth Johnson, D.O. “The Diabetes Institute is a

place for us that coalesces our focuses and strategies in the best manner

possible.”

The newly created Ohio University Health Sciences Center offers an organi-

zational incubator to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations, maximize

research potential, and integrate health care research and training.

"The Diabetes Institute builds upon the remarkable achievements already

attained in diabetes research, education, and healthcare delivery at Ohio

University. The Institute will be a cornerstone of the new Health Sciences

Center, and I am extremely pleased that Dr. Berryman will be leading it to-

wards national prominence," said Jack Brose, D.O., vice provost for health

affairs at Ohio University.

Original story: www.oucom.ohio.edu/communications/news/

berrymandiabetesinstitute

Berryman to head-up Ohio University’s newly

formed Diabetes Institute

by Andrea Gibson

2012

Ohio University appoint-

ed Darlene Berryman,

Ph.D., R.D., as director

of The Diabetes Institute

at Ohio University, the

first initiative of the Ohio

University Health Sci-

ences Center. The Insti-

tute was created to bring

together the many dia-

betes-related programs

throughout the university

in an effort to best ad-

dress one of the most

critical health-care is-

sues facing Americans.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in three

Americans born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes. Although the inci-

dence in Ohio is higher than in the rest of the nation at 9.5%, it is higher

yet—at 11.5%—in southeastern Appalachian Ohio.

“It is an exciting time to be involved in the study of diabetes at Ohio Uni-

versity,” Dr. Berryman said. In the past we developed a number of initia-

tives in research, clinical services, and educational programming. Now

with the establishment of The Diabetes Institute, these initiatives are

housed under one unit enhancing the synergy we have developed to ad-

dress this devastating disease.”

The Ohio University Board of Trustees renamed the Diabetes Endocrine

Center as The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University. The newly named

institute will assume and build upon several existing initiatives including

the Diabetes Research Initiative, the Diabetes Coalition and the clinical

services, provided through the Diabetes Endocrine Center, a clinic for

diabetes patient care located on the O’Bleness Hospital campus.

The Institute will expand opportunities for further development of diabetes

research, clinical care, education and community outreach. “With the

establishment of the Institute, we will be able to make a significant impact

towards reducing the diabetes disease burden regionally, nationally and

globally,” Dr. Berryman said.

Darlene Berryman

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 3

Shiyong Wu named director of

Edison Biotechnology Institute

by Andrea Gibson 2012

Wu, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has served as a principal

investigator at the institute since 2003. He is a longtime recipient of Na-

tional Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for his research on skin cancer.

“Shiyong brings to the position a diverse intellectual background and

strong record of accomplishment in research,” said Joseph Shields, the

vice president for research and creative activity and dean of the Graduate

College at Ohio University.

The directorship is a half-time position with a three-year term. Wu will

retain his appointment as a faculty member in the Department of Chemis-

try and Biochemistry.

EBI was founded in 1984 to pursue interdisciplinary scientific research on

topics such as growth hormone disorders, cancer, aging, diabetes, obesi-

ty, inflammation and autoimmune disease. The institute also is focused on

developing new drugs and medical technologies that can benefit the public

and create new companies and jobs in Ohio.

More than 95 percent of the university’s royalty income from research

licenses stems from discoveries at the institute. The university and its

inventors have received more than $73 million to date for revenue from a

license to the Pfizer corporation for a growth hormone antagonist receptor

discovered by scientist John Kopchick and former graduate student Wen

Chen in 1987.

The institute is a partner in TechGROWTH Ohio, a state-funded program

that provides funding and business coaching to startup companies in

Southeast Ohio, including new biotechnology and medical device firms.

EBI also works closely with Ohio University’s Innovation Center to support

the launch of new technology companies.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the director of EBI. I

would like to thank Dr. Shields for his trust and Drs. Wight and Kopchick

for handing over a successful institute with a great team,” Wu said. “I will

work with my colleagues to further strengthen and expand research ca-

pacities in the institute, as well as to promote and better serve the com-

mercialization of biotechnologies at Ohio University and in Southeast

Ohio.”

In his research, Wu studies how ultraviolet light (UV) activates a complex

chemical and biological signaling network in cells that can damage DNA

and cause skin cancer. Understanding this network could help investiga-

tors identify new targets for future development of therapeutics for the

treatment and prevention of UV-related skin cancers and aging.

Wu has a strong track record of securing federal funding for his research.

He is currently the principal investigator on a NIH grant and a co-principal

investigator on a National Science Foundation MRI grant that supported new

scientific equipment for university researchers. He has served as either a

lead or co-investigator on several previous grants from federal and private

agencies, and currently serves as a regular member of the NIH’s Radiation

Therapeutics and Biology study section.

Wu has published more than 50 manuscripts and book chapters. Earlier this

year, Wu, Ohio University scientist Hao Chen and graduate student Zhixin

Miao won the Ron A. Hites Award for Outstanding Research Publication in

the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.

In addition, Wu has a U.S. provisional patent filed on a new method to mod-

ulate the immune system through the administration of immunomodulatory

peptides.

Wu received his doctoral and master’s degrees in chemistry from the Uni-

versity of Nebraska and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Science

and Technology of China. He held postdoctoral positions at the University of

Nebraska and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and served as an assis-

tant research scientist at the University of Michigan Medical School before

his arrival at Ohio University.

Shiyong Wu

4 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

"These findings are feeding into the basic understanding of this gene expres-

sion so that future researchers can work to disrupt it," Broach said. "The

more we know about it, the more targets we have to disrupt it and to possibly

develop targeted antibiotic treatments."

For those living in developing countries, where access to clean drinking wa-

ter can be scarce, an improved medical treatment for shigellosis could mean

the difference between life and death.

"In the United States, if we get severe diarrhea we can go to the store and

get Gatorade," Murphy said. "But if you're already starving to begin with

because you don't have access to

good food and clean water, then you

get shigellosis on top of that—and

you don't have good water to rehy-

drate yourself—that's when the

deaths happen."

The disease, which is transmitted

person to person or through contam-

inated food or water sources, has an

infectious dose of just 10 organisms,

meaning as few as 10 organisms

can cause disease in a healthy

person. This infectious dose is ex-

ceedingly low compared to other

bacteria that require tens of thou-

sands of organisms to cause dis-

ease.

Bright spots among intestinal cells

show where the shigella bacteria

were able to replicate, indicating

their ability to cause disease.

While it is often thought to be a third-

world problem, shigellosis causes a

reported 14,000 cases in the United

States each year. The Centers for

Disease Control suggests that the

actual number may be 20 times

higher, as mild cases often aren't re-

ported or diagnosed.

"In the United States it's probably even more underreported than in develop-

ing countries because of access to healthy, clean drinking water," Murphy

said. "If you're a healthy individual and you've got access to clean drinking

water, chances are you're going to get severe diarrhea, but you're not going

to die."

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Ohio Uni-

versity Research Committee and the Ohio University Heritage College of

Osteopathic Medicine.

The collaborators on the PLoS ONE paper are University of Nevada, Las

Vegas scientists Nicholas Egan and Helen Wing and University of Texas at

Austin researcher Shelley Payne.

The PLoS ONE paper can be accessed online: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/

journal.pone.0038592.

Scientist find new genetic path to deadly

diarrheal disease

by Elizabeth Boyle

2012

The research, which could lead to the

development of future treatments,

was published today in the journal

PLoS ONE. The study was led by

Ohio University scientist Erin Murphy

and doctoral student William Broach,

with contributions from University of

Nevada, Las Vegas and University of

Texas at Austin researchers.

When the disease-causing bacterium

Shigella invades a human host, envi-

ronmental conditions there, such as

changes in temperature or pH, stimu-

late a genetic expression pathway

within the bacterium that allows it to

survive and cause disease. Central to

this genetic pathway are two proteins,

VirF and VirB. VirF functions to in-

crease production of VirB which, in

turn, promotes the production of

factors that increases the bacterium's

virulence, or ability to cause illness in

its host.

"It's like a domino effect," said Mur-

phy, assistant professor of bacteriolo-

gy in the Ohio University Heritage

College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Murphy and Broach's new study, however, suggests that production of

VirB can be controlled independently of VirF. It also shows that the VirF-

independent regulation is mediated by a specific small RNA, a special type

of molecule whose job is to control the production of particular targets.

This is the first study to demonstrate that transcription of virB is regulated

by any factor other than VirF, Murphy explained.

The research not only reveals the intricate level of gene expression the

bacteria employ to survive in the human body, but potentially could lead to

new treatments. Currently, antibiotics are prescribed to patients with the

disease.

Erin Murphy (Photo by John Sattler, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine)

(Photo courtesy of Murphy lab, Ohio University)

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 5

Felicia Nowak (Photo by Robb DeCamp)

Diet Rx

How can antioxidant diets protect against diabetic kidney disease? by Andrea Gibson 2012

More than 150 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with type 2

diabetes, and experts project that the incidence will skyrocket to 300 mil-

lion by 2025. Kidney disease is a common complication; 50 percent of

patients with end-stage kidney disease in the United States are also dia-

betic.

With the disease and its complications becoming more and more preva-

lent, Ohio University scientists Felicia Nowak and Sharon Inman and col-

leagues began examining whether an antioxidant diet could mitigate the

symptoms of diabetes.

The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine researchers received a

three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health for the project,

which examined 144 diabetic and healthy rats. The scientists fed the rats a

diet fortified with selenium, manganese, Vitamin C, and other antioxidant

vitamins and minerals, and then monitored various biomedical markers of

health at six, 13, and 20 weeks.

The team was surprised to find that while the antioxidant diet didn’t allevi-

ate the symptoms of diabetes or prevent the development of kidney dis-

ease in male rats, it did provide some protection to the female rats under

study. The female subjects had significantly lower blood glucose, less

severe kidney problems, lower blood pressure, and better production of

nitric oxide (which reduces oxidative stress in the body) than their male

counterparts throughout the study. The health status of all diabetic sub-

jects, however, worsened with age, the researchers report.

In human populations, men are more likely than women to have diabetic

kidney disease.

“Some people think that women have protection because of their elevated

estrogen levels and lower levels of androgen,” Nowak says. “I’m not con-

vinced that that’s the reason.”

Nowak notes that the beneficial effect of the antioxidants could have gone

unnoticed in most conventional studies, which typically use only male rats.

The team is hoping to attract additional funding to support a new version of

the study that would tweak the antioxidant diet. After the initial study was

underway, Nowak says, new research was published that suggested that

copper could be detrimental to the diabetic kidney, whereas alpha-lipoic acid

could be beneficial. The team also plans to use Inman’s expertise with a

specialized technique called video microscopy to take a closer look at the

new diet’s impact on kidney microcirculation.

In the meantime, Inman’s lab has received funding through two Centers for

Osteopathic Research and Education (CORE) research grants to further

examine the nitric oxide pathways and the effect of adding a niacin-chromium

complex supplement to the rat diet. Niacin and chromium appear to have

many beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-

dyslipidemia (abnormal concentrations of lipids in the blood) effects, which

may slow the progression of kidney disease, Inman explains. Dietary supple-

mentation would be an inexpensive, well-tolerated treatment for patients with

type 2 diabetes, she notes.

Nowak also has embarked on a new study, funded by the Ohio University

Research Committee and the medical college’s Research and Scholarly

Affairs Committee, to examine whether paternal diet and obesity can impact

offspring. This relatively unexplored research area has potential applications

for human health and therapeutics for metabolic disease, including diabetes.

This article appears in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Ohio University's

Perspectives magazine.

Here: http://www.ohio.edu/research/communications/diet_rx.cfm

Sharon Inman (Photo by Robb DeCamp)

6 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

John Kopchick receives Ohio Patent

Impact Award

Scientist recognized for development of growth hormone drug

by Andrea Gibson

2012

Ohio University scientist John Kopchick receives the Ohio Patent Impact

Award for his contributions to the development of a drug that treats acro-

megaly, a growth hormone disorder related to gigantism that affects thou-

sands of people worldwide.

“I am awestruck by such a prestigious award. It is sincerely humbling,”

said Kopchick, who is known as an international expert on growth hormone

and its impact on health and aging.

The Ohio Academy of Science and the Ohio State Bar Association give the

annual award to inventors with the patents that have significantly impacted

the state of Ohio through positive changes measured by economic, social

change, health benefits, growth of new industries, jobs and other factors.

The organizations will present the award at a ceremony at Ashland Univer-

sity April 14.

In addition to Kopchick, William Beale, founder of Sunpower Inc., of Ath-

ens, will receive the 2012 Ohio Patent Legacy Award, which recognizes

inventors with a prolific number of patents. Beale, a former Ohio University

faculty member, holds 26 patents for the invention in 1971 of the Free-

Piston Stirling Engine. The organizations also will recognized John Not-

ingham, John Spirk and colleagues of Nottingham Spirk of Cleveland, who

invented an electric toothbrush that generated hundreds of millions of dol-

lars in sales of the SpinBruch for Proctor and Gamble and Arm and Ham-

mer.

In 1987, Kopchick, the Goll-Ohio Professor of Molecular Biology at the Edison

Biotechnology Institute and Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, and

former graduate student Wen Chen discovered the growth hormone receptor

antagonist, which blocks the action of the hormone.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a drug based on the dis-

covery, pegvisomant, for use in 2003. the Pfizer corporation distributes and

markets the drug as SOMAVERT® (pegvisomant for injection,) as a treat-

ment for acromegaly. The condition is a form of gigantism marked by exces-

sive levels of growth hormone that result in enlargement of the hands and

feet, facial disfiguration and multiple organ disorders, which can lead to prem-

ature death. About 40,000 individuals are diagnosed with acromegaly world-

wide.

Ohio University and its inventors have received more that $73.5 million in

royalty income from the license to Pfizer to date. In 2011, the royalty income

stream was monetized, which may generate up to $13 million in additional

revenue over then next five years. The royalty income has supported faculty

and student research in biomedical science and has enhanced Ohio Universi-

ty’s program in technology commercialization over the last decade.

“The technology’s impact extends beyond the bedside; it also will have long

lasting effects on Ohio University with royalty revenues helping to fund new

faculty partnerships and the Edison Biotechnology Institute and a new trans-

lational biomedicine PhD program,” David Wight, director of the Edison Bio-

technology Institute and one of the individuals who nominated Kopchick for

the award.

The successful development of the growth hormone receptor antagonist into

a drug that treats thousands of patients around the globe is a prime example

of Ohio University’s efforts to bring faculty inventions into the marketplace,

said Joseph Shields, vice president for research and creative activity and

dean of the Graduate College at Ohio University.

“Ohio University has built a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem that is develop-

ing new technologies in the areas of bioscience, energy, environmental reme-

diation, transportation and digital media,” Shields said. “our goal is to create

high-tech companies and jobs in the underserved area of Appalachian Ohio.”

www.ohio.edu/research/communication/patentimpact.cfm

Dr. John Kopchick

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 7

Russ College bioinformatics course gives

students chance to study rare disease

Research findings could help local family

by Taylor See and Colleen Carow

Dec, 10, 2012

This semester, students taking a bioinformatics course at Ohio University's

Russ College of Engineering and Technology had the opportunity to take

part in a project that could change the lives of a local Athens family.

More than 14 years ago, the world of Brian and Jenny McCollister was

turned upside down when two of their five children were diagnosed with

ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1, or AOA1 [see sidebar].

AOA1 is caused by a genetic mutation that blocks the brain's ability to

regulate the body's posture, limb movements and strength, resulting in

difficulty executing fine motor skills, unsteady eye gait and inability to walk.

The disease is so rare that when the children were diagnosed in 2004, they

were one of two known cases in the United States, and one of less than 10

diagnosed worldwide.

No cure for the disease currently exists, but Lonnie Welch, Stuckey Profes-

sor of Computer Science at the Russ College and family friend of the

McCollisters, seeks to change that. This fall, he took the engineering, tech-

nology, and biology students in his "Data Mining with Applications in the

Life Sciences" class along for the ride.

Welch tasked the students with examining the DNA code of the APTX gene

which causes the apraxia, as well as related genes that are involved in the

disease in an effort to understand their interrelationships.

He has seen the personal aspects of this case motivate the students to

work through the course's challenges. "They're excited; they want to find

the disease–related patterns and codes," he said. "If we discover them,

then that's a new insight into these genes and potentially into this disease."

Robert Schmidt, a first-year computer science master's student, says the

course cross-trains students in genetic biology and computer science in

order to develop them into computational biologists.

"The AOA1 Project that Dr. Welch has assigned to us tasks us with devel-

oping software that can search for motifs in the APTX gene sequence … in

an attempt to gain a better understanding of the genetics behind oculomo-

tor apraxia," Schmidt said.

Welch pointed out although the work may be stimulating, due to its cross-

disciplinary nature, it can also be extremely daunting at times.

"A computer scientist who wants to do bioinformatics has to take courses in

biology and chemistry. A biologist who wants to do bioinformatics has to take

courses in calculus and one or two courses in math, and then they're going to

need to take some computer science courses," he explained. "It's hard work,

and they have to be really motivated and inspired to do that extra work."

Meg Nicol, a biological sciences major, said the possibility of helping out a

family like the McCollisters is worth it.

"This is certainly one of my most challenging classes this semester, but I also

feel that it will be the most rewarding," she explained. "The McCollisters aren't

some fictitious family in part of a prompt; they are real people whose children

are dealing with the disease every day."

According to Brian McCollister, the respect is certainly mutual. "My wife and I

love Ohio University students and we care deeply for our children," McCollis-

ter said. "It is rare that these two worlds connect, so we are deeply grateful

that Ohio University students are looking for ways to research this rare dis-

ease."

The consensus among the students is that they are glad to help. "What we do

makes a difference," Schmidt said. "Even if this project doesn't lead to any

short-term results, it might just be the spark that ignites the flame in one of

our minds."

Dr. Lonnie Welch is a faculty member of MCB and the director of the Bioin-

formatics Lab.

Website: www.ohio.edu/cidds/people/person.cfm?person=welch&org=cidds

Email: welch@ohio.edu

Professor Lonnie Welch’s class listens to Brian McCollister talk about his family

(Photo by Jill Bateman)

8 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

Genomics Facility celebrates five years

of biological research advances

by Jessica Salerno

May 1, 2012

Located on the top floor of Porter Hall, the Genomics Facility may be unfa-

miliar to some Ohio University faculty and students, but for those who

conduct research on genetic issues—from plant biology and human patho-

gens to the biological roots of social anxiety —the facility has made a big

impact on their work since its launch five years ago.

Established with a grant from the National Science Foundation, the facility

specializes in DNA sequencing, fragment analysis and gene expression

studies. It generates new data for researchers on campus, allowing them

easy access to equipment and support from Director Vijay Nadella. He’s

responsible for overseeing the research that goes on at the facility and

supervising the technicians, interns and graduate students that work on

the samples.

“We have a wide variety of researchers on campus, and many need to

address some genetic component of their research,” Nadella says. Any-

where from 10 to 20 studies may occur at a time, on issues ranging from

diabetes and cancer to chemical engineering and psychology.

Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Shawn Chen has used the

facility in the past for gene expression analysis, and continues to use it

regularly for molecular research. “DNA sequencing is the essential part of

modern molecular biology. Without it, if we send samples to a service lab

outside the campus, we can’t afford the time. It may also cost more,” he

says.

Time and cost are two huge advantages of having the facility on campus.

Currently the facility only charges a fee for consumables. Prior to its es-

tablishment, researchers had to send their samples to other universities

for testing, often resulting in long waits. It’s not financially feasible for

individual labs to purchase and maintain this equipment, but a core facility

on campus can offer a range of resources and services to fulfill the needs

of different experiments.

One recent example if the facility’s new partnership with the Innovation

Center, Ohio University's biotech and high-tech business incubator. Joe

Jollick, director of the center’s Biotechnology Research and Development

Facility, worked with Nadella to acquire the necessary funding and grants

to purchase a new ion torrent personal genome sequencer. The sequenc-

er uses semiconductor chips to sequence DNA and identify where certain

gene sequences are abnormal. The sequencer is no available for use by

Ohio University researchers and Innovation Center companies.

The on-site location also encourages researchers to try new methods. Mor-

gan Vis, a professor of environmental and plant biology, has published sev-

en papers with the use of the facility, which has allowed her to explore gene

sequencing. This technology is expensive, and I don’t feel I know enough

about it to be successful on my own, “she says. “I would not have invested

in it without having the personal

interaction of our facility.”

Another benefit of the genomics

facility is the learning opportunity for

Ohio University students. The facili-

ty hires one to two PACE students

each year, and they’re trained

through Nadella or the technicians

according to their interest. Shannon

Clay, a former PACE student, says

she learned a lot and enjoyed work-

ing at the facility.

“I also developed a lot of confidence

in my ability to work in a lab. It was

always a great feeling to come back in after

putting samples in the sequencer and getting to see a batch of really good

sequencing readouts, “Clay says.

Experience in the facility can demystify research and help with student ca-

reer growth, Nadella says. The students often leave with ideas for their own

research and go on to different labs or graduate schools.

Diana Roberts, currently a doctoral student at the University of Missouri,

worked as an undergraduate techni-

cian in the lab from 2007-2008.

During her time at the genomics

facility she set up and ran the DNA

sequencing reactions. “The thing

that has probably aided me most

was learning to troubleshoot and

learning to help other troubleshoot,”

she says.

With a successful track record in

faculty research and student train-

ing, the future of the genomics facili-

ty looks promising.

“We’ll definitely be here, providing

more and better services tour re-

searchers,” Nadella says. “We can

help our researchers get more grants and help our students land good jobs

or go to better schools.”

For more information about the Genomics Facility, visit http://dna.ohio.edu/

Original article appears here:

www.ohio.edu/research/communications/genomics.cfm

Rachel Arnold,Lab Technician (Photo by Ben Siegel)

Vijay Nadella Director(Photo by Ben Siegel)

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 9

Dr. Shawn Kuchta, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

I am broadly interested in patterns of diversity and the processes that generate, maintain, or limit

these patterns. My research trajectory proceeds along two fronts. The first is the interaction between

biogeography and species formation. The second is predator-mediated natural selection and the

evolution of anti-predator adaptations. In general, my approach is grounded in organismal biology

while pursuing a modern research agenda in evolutionary biology. Salamanders are my main study

group, however, I am also currently also working on frogs and damselflies..

We are interested in the evolution of organismal biodiversity, including species formation, biogeogra-

phy, adaptation, and natural selection. A common theme is to integrate phylogeographic and popu-

lation genetic approaches with ecological field studies. There is also a focus in the lab on using

geometric morphometric techniques to quantify phenotypes. Most research has so far focused on

salamanders, but projects involving damselflies and turtles are ongoing.

Dr. Thierry Charlier, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

Early life experience shapes physiological responses to internal and external cues later in adulthood

and has a long lasting impact on health and behavior. Amongst the numerous factors important for

development, exposure to steroid hormones, including androgens, estrogens and glucocorticoids,

during a narrow window limited to the perinatal period or puberty, have been demonstrated to organ-

ize specific hypothalamic and telencephalic nuclei in most vertebrates and allow specific behaviors

to be activated later in life. The focus of my research is to investigate factors responsible for the

determination of cell phenotypes and molecular pathways linked to reproductive and aggressive

behaviors, following testosterone challenge. Over the past decade, it has become clear that steroid

action can be modulated in vivo by distinct mechanisms. It is established that 1’) modulation of

steroids can occur at the level of steroid delivery to the target tissue, 2’) the steroid identity and/or

potency can be modified through local metabolism or, 3’) steroid action can be modulated at the

level of the target gene through an increase or a decrease of transcription efficiency affected by

epigenetic factors. The goal of my lab is to provide an integrated model of the different components

modulating steroid action. The main models used in my lab are cell lines and Japanese quail.

Thierry D. Charlier, PhD

College of Arts and Sciences

Biological Sciences

301 Irvine Hall

charlier@ohio.edu

Shawn Kuchta, PhD

College of Arts and Sciences

Biological Sciences

Life Sciences Building 233

kuchta@ohio.edu

10 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

Yi Liu, PhD — advisor Dr. Xiao Zhou Chen (Biomedical Sciences)

“Inhibitors of basal glucose transporter and their anticancer activities and mechanism”

I am now a postdoctoral fellow in the Methodist Hospital Research Institute, which is the best

hospital in Texas and located in the Texas Medical Center. My current research is " targeting

triple negative breast cancer stem cells with RNAi nanoparticles". Meanwhile, I am starting a

new project to investigate metabolism in breast cancer stem cells by using the knowledge and

trainings I gained from Dr. Chen's lab and MCB. We love our new place, but we miss everything

in Athens very much. Wish everyone all the best!

Craig Schenk, MS — advisor Dr. Sarah Wyatt (Environmental and Plant Biology)

“Proteomics approach to identify signal transduction components of gravitropism”

My Master's work centered around a quantitative proteomics study to identify proteins involved

in gravitropic signaling. Through this approach I was able to identify two proteins that were

involved in a plant's response to gravity, mutations in the genes encoding these proteins had

reduced responses to changes in the gravity vector. After graduating I moved to Madison, WI

to pursue a PhD in the botany department at the University of Wisconsin. I'm working with

Hiroshi Maeda to unravel the tyrosine biosynthesis pathway and secondary metabolites that

rely on tyrosine as their precursor.

Dr. Kenneth Brown — College of Arts and Sciences Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Brown reports that he has been enjoying travel, travel, travel! — Well, we spent five weeks

on the northern Oregon coast in a beach house in July/August, went to Yellowstone in the be-

ginning of September, went to Arches and Canyon lands National Parks in Oct./Nov., Seattle

(visit family) in Nov., and I did some hiking in the East Mojave Desert Preserve in December.

Going to Sanibel, FL next week for a couple of weeks.

I love retirement!

Ken

Dr. Leonard Kohn — Emeritus senior research scientist at the Heritage College of

Osteopathic Medicine, died April 18, 2012. Dr. Kohn began work on the development of a new

compound, called C-10, that shows promise in fighting pancreatic cancer and diabetes, among

other diseases. Kohn joined the Edison Biotechnology Institute and HCOM in 2000.

Read more about Dr. Kohn and his work here: http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/communications/

news/leonarddkohn/

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 11

Mohor Chatterjee, PhD — advisor, Dr. Peter Coschigano (Biomedical Science)

“Identification and characterization of two thauera aromatic strain T1 genes induced by p-cresol”

I finished my PhD from Dr. Peter Coschigano’s lab in summer 2012 where I worked on identifi-

cation and characterization of two Thauera aromatica strain T1 genes induced by p-cresol. It

was an enriching experience at OU and I still miss the department a lot, along with the beautiful

Athens. Since September 2012 I am a Busch Postdoctoral Fellow at the Waksman Institute of

Microbiology in Rutgers University at New Jersey where I am working on nano-RNA mediated

transcription initiation in bacteria. It is an extremely interesting area of research and I am look-

ing forward to it. I wish my friends and faculty in OU all the best in everything.

Rachel Heim-Morris, MS — advisor, Dr. Shiyong Wu (Chemistry/Biochemistry)

“The role of calpains in UVB-induced inhibitor kappa B alpha degradation”

Since graduation Rachel has taken a position as a chemist with Oso Biopharmaceuticals in

Albuquerque New Mexico.

Yan Liang, PhD — advisor Dr. Allan Showalter (Environmental and Plant Biology)

“Identification of characterization of galactosyltransferases and fucosyltransferases involved in

arabinogalactan-protein glycosylation”

The mechanism involved in arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) glycosylation is largely unknown

but an important topic for the understanding of AGP function and regulation in plants. I devel-

oped an in vitro enzymatic assay specific for studying AGP glycosylation. The assay, in combi-

nation with other biochemical and molecular genetics strategies, was applied to investigate the

functions of candidate AGP biosynthetic genes. I am going to take a postdoctoral job at the

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on a project aimed at the molecular engineering of

plants for cost-effective biofuel production. I highly appreciate the education, support and help

provided by the faculty, students and staffs of MCB and PBIO here at OU.

Carolina Sempertegui, PhD — advisor Dr. Mario Grijalva (Biomedical Science)

“Phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies of panstrongylus found in Loja and Manabi provinces

Ecuador”

Carolina has taken a position at Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri, as an Assistant

Professor of Microbiology

12 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

L-R: Guangyu Fan, Bin Liu, Dr. Colvin, Yunhe Liu

Gangyu Fan — sponsor, Dr. Shiyong Wu

Guangyu is participating in a research project entitled “Role of integrins in

regulation of death and metastasis of breast cancer cells during radiother-

apy” Guangyu is working closely with Dr. Shinhee Lee, a post-doctoral

fellow, in identifying IR-induced and integrin-mediated signaling pathways

that regulates breast cancer cell death and/or metastasis. He is also par-

ticipating in a project in identifying compounds that could be potential

radiosensitizer or radioprotectant if time allows .

Bin Liu — sponsor, Dr. Peter Coschigano

Bin is participating in a research project on the biodegradation of p-cresol.

Dr. Coshigano’s work has used a proteomics approach to identify proteins

that are differentially expressed by p-cresol in comparison to benzoate.

Sequences of peptides from these proteins were obtained by MS analysis.

Using degenerate oligonucleotide primers, clones corresponding to two of

the isolated proteins have been obtained. Expression analysis has shown

differential expression not only at the protein level but also at the RNA

level for these clones. Both genes have been sequenced and Bin will

participate in additional characterization. “My current project involves the

gene pipB, which participants in para-cresol metabolism of the facultative

anaerobe Thauera aromatic T1. A possible open reading frame near the

gene is predicted. I am currently cultivating cells for an RNA extraction to

confirm that the possible gene is indeed expressed in T1 in a para-cresol

medium. Previously, a transformation of T1 culture wild type to pipB dele-

tion mutant was attempted, but was not successful, I am also doing a

second attempt in the area.”

Yunhe Liu — sponsor, Dr. Darlene Berryman

Yunhe is participating in a research project entitled “Immune cells in adi-

pose (fat) tissue: key player of the metabolic dysfunction of obesity?” The

project proposes to use a mouse model system that has alterations in

growth hormone (GH) to evaluate depot specific differences in immune cell

infiltration. This study aims to evaluate the population of immune cells in

different depots in these mice.

The Capital Normal

University Research

Scholars Program was

established in 2011.

The program’s mission is

to ensure that students are

well prepared for the chal-

lenges and opportunities of

an increasingly intercon-

nected world and promote

sustainable scholarly

activities and international

education.

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 13

Xinhao Liu: I am Xinhao Liu from China. I graduated from Xi’an Jiao-

tong University with a bachelor degree of Medicine. After graduation I enrolled at

the Laboratory of Anesthesia and CCM at Sichuan University as a research

fellow to master some basic research methods such as PCR, western blotting,

immunofluorescence, and participated in research of the mechanism of acute

lung injury. Now it is my first graduate year here at OU. I think my broad direc-

tion is biochemistry. But I am still looking for my very specific research interest.

Qiping Lu: I am Qiping Lu, from Beijing, China. I graduated from Capital

Normal University with a bachelor degree in Biotechnology. My previous re-

search experience is in mitochondrial protein import machinery during my ex-

change study in Germany. Since then I become fascinated in degenerations,

apoptosis and protein lifecycle. I am looking forward to studying topics about

human disease mechanisms. Now I am in the beginning of my graduate study

at Molecular and Cellular Biology Program. I love reading, writing, brush calligra-

phy, cooking and traveling.

Jonathan Young: I am from Dayton, Ohio. I received my bachelor’s

degree in microbiology from Ohio University in 2012. I currently work in Dr. John

Kopchick’s lab, where I study growth, obesity, diabetes, and aging, specifically

the effects of growth hormone, using transgenic and knockout mice.

14 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

2012 Student and Faculty Mini-Retreat

November 17, 2012

The MCB Fall retreat was held Saturday, November 17th, at Irvine Hall. The retreat brought together over 50 students and

faculty members, as well as alumni and guests.

Presentations:

Darlene Berryman , Professor of applied Health Sciences and Wellness, MCB, “The Diabetes Institute “

Shawn Chen: Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences, MCB, “The Trojan Horse Antibiotics—A Nature’s Inno-

vation”.

Peggy Zoccola, Assistant Professor of Psychology, “Cortisol and Inflammatory Responses to Social Stress and Rumination”.

Leslie Consitt, Assistant Professor of Physiology, “The Role of Myostatin in Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance”.

Lonnie Welch, Stuckey Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MCB, “Computational Regulatory Ge-

nomics — Reverse Engineering Biological Control Systems”.

Andrew Kouse, PhD Candidate, MCB, “Temperature-dependent Regulation of SHuA: An RNA Thermometer Four U”.

Felicia Nowak, Associate Professor of Molecular Endocrinology, MCB, “The pro-apoptotic and antiproliferative RhoGAP do-

main protein, PORF-2 —Role in Health and Disease”.

Stephen Bergmeier, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, MCB, “New methods for small molecule library generation.

Applications to the discovery of new therapeutics”.

Allan Showalter, Environmental and Plant Biology, MCB, “Rapid modulation of aromatase activity: A new way to acutely mod-

ulate estrogen concentration?”

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 15

In June 2011, Muccioli received a $6,000 Ohio University Student En-

hancement Award to support her research. She says that not having to

depend on someone else's funding has given her more independence as a

researcher, and being responsible for her own budget gives her valuable

experience for her future career.

In addition to gaining research experience at Ohio University, Muccioli also

mentored a student from Athens High School last summer. The student

had a strong interest in neurology and neuroscience, and Muccioli was

happy to teach basic techniques. "It really helps them. The amount that you

give back to the community has an impact, especially in the Appalachia

region, which has lower post-secondary education rates," she says.

After graduating from Ohio University, Muccioli plans to seek a postdoctor-

al position and eventually hopes to manage her own immunology research

lab.

She's encouraged by the results of her doctoral research so far.

"I investigate one small pathway in the bigger picture of cancer progres-

sion," she says. "Hopefully in 20, 30 years we'll be able to put those pieces

of the puzzle together and come up with better treatments. That's my hope,

that somehow this will help make new medicines that are more effective,

have less side effects, and are more targeted."

Editor's note: Muccioli received an honorable mention in the National

Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship program this week.

Original story appears here: www.ohio.edu/research/communications/

muccioloi.cfm

Tackling tumor growth: Biology graduate

student examines ovarian cancer in the lab

by Jessica Salerno

March 30, 2012

Working as a pharmacy technician while an undergraduate student at

Suffolk University, Maria Muccioli regularly heard firsthand accounts from

her customers about the unpleasant side effects of cancer treatment.

"I met so many people who had cancer and dispensed medicine to them,"

she recalls. "I heard them talk about what going through chemotherapy is

like. I definitely felt passionate about doing research in something that

might help someone like that."

Muccioli is now in her second year in Ohio University's doctoral program

for molecular and cell biology, tackling projects that may ease the difficulty

of cancer treatment for future patients. Her goal is to use immunology-

based therapies to target specific cancers, which she hopes will lead to

less invasive options.

Maria Muccioli and Fabian Benencia are studying Toll-Like Receptor 3

(TLR3) and how it affects tumor growth.

Muccioli chose Ohio University not only because it offered excellent gradu-

ate programs for her and her husband, who is studying physics, but be-

cause of the opportunity to work with cancer researcher Fabian Benencia,

assistant professor of biomedical sciences in the Heritage College of Oste-

opathic Medicine.

She and Benencia are studying Toll-Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) and how it

affects tumor growth. TLR3 is a protein that normally acts at the starting

point of the immune response, but when expressed in tumor cells, it actu-

ally becomes a cause of chronic inflammation at the tumor site. Certain

types of inflammation can contribute to new blood vessel formation, which

then leads to tumor growth.

"So in theory your immune system is supposed to help protect you against

cancer, but in fact when the tumor is expressing the TLRs, it can actually

use those pathways to take advantage," Muccioli says.

The scientists are using ovarian cancer cells in the study because they

show a high level of TLR3 activity, says Benencia, who has received fund-

ing for his cancer research from the National Science Foundation, National

Institutes of Health and the American Osteopathic Association.

"It 's a very relevant disease, and it has been shown that there are a lot of

inflammatory cells that are attracted to the microenvironment of the tumor.

So the question is how do they get there?" he asks. "That's what we're

trying to see. Because maybe if we can just stop them from getting there

we can stop the tumor from growing."

Muccioli is currently working on "knocking down" or eliminating TLR3 from

the cells. In a future step of her research, she will examine the impact of

this action on the inflammatory profile of the tumor microenvironment

using a mouse model of ovarian cancer.

"Our hypothesis is that if we knock down this protein, we'll have less in-

flammation at the tumor site. The tumor will be less likely to form new

blood vessels and grow," Muccioli says.

Maria Muccioli and Dr. Fabian Benencia photo credit: Patrick Oden

16 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

Scientists regularly attend professional conferences to present

study findings and learn about new advances in their fields. For

students who have never participated in a meeting that might

attract hundreds or thousands of fellow researchers, the first time

can be a real learning experience.

That’s why Yanrong Qian, a doctoral student in Ohio University’s

molecular and cell biology program, accepted the opportunity to

co-organize the first Appalachian Regional Cell Conference in

October. The conference, held in Charleston, W.Va., brought

together 73 students and faculty from West Virginia University,

Marshall University, the University of Kentucky and Ohio Universi-

ty, which had the largest contingent of participants. Vinay Pathak

of the National Cancer Institute delivered a keynote talk about a

virus linked to prostate cancer and other diseases. “It was a great

chance for students to communicate, network and learn more

about the academic environment for graduate students in Appala-

chia,” Qian said.

The conference, which was sponsored by the American Society of

Cell Biology, featured dozens of presentations on topics such as

cancer cell biology, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease and

biochemistry. Ohio University had a strong interdisciplinary show-

ing, with 34 participants from chemistry, physics, biological sci-

ences, and several engineering disciplines.

Four Ohio University students received awards. Ellen Lubbers

was runner-up in the Best Poster Presentation category, Amrita

Basu and Maria Muccioli (who co-organized Ohio University’s

participation in the event with Qian) won a one-year membership

to the American Society for Cell Biology, and Qian won Best

Presentation in her group. In addition, Lingying Tong was select-

ed to give a special oral presentation.

Qian conducts research on novel approaches to inhibiting cancer

cell growth with Xiaozhuo Chen, an associate professor of bio-

medical sciences in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

and a principal investigator at the Edison Biotechnology Institute.

At the conference, she had a chance to discuss her work with a

University of Kentucky student examining a complementary piece

of the cancer metabolism puzzle.

Yanrong Qian conducts cancer research at the Edison Biotechnology Institute. (Photo by Andrea Gibson)

Graduate students organize first Appalachian Cell Biology

Conference

by Andrea Gibson

Oct. 31, 2012

Yanrong Qian and Maria Muccioli, at left, with fellow organizers from WV University,

Marshall University and University of Kentucky (photo courtesy of Jessica Hall, WV

University)

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 17

“Students were able to network with other student peers that have similar inter-

ests, and could start regional collaborations that may develop into long-lasting

relationships that will help them in their future careers,” said Robert Colvin, a

professor of biological sciences and director of the interdisciplinary graduate

program in molecular and cell biology.

In addition to the intellectual benefits, Qian and her colleagues also learned

about the hard work of organizing a professional conference, from recruitment

and promotion of the event to scheduling and securing financial support. She

successfully applied for funding from Ohio University’s Council for Research,

Scholarship and Creative Activity (CRSCA).

“I learned a lot about cooperation, teamwork and management skills,” Qian

said. The Ohio University effort impressed the regional partners so much that

they selected the university to organize the autumn 2013 event.

“Qian’s tireless efforts, along with the other student organizers at Ohio Universi-

ty, in promoting the conference was the reason that Ohio University participa-

tion was the strongest of the four institutions at the conference and ensured the

success of the first conference,” Colvin said.

Qian and Colvin hope to increase participation in the event next year, and are

optimistic about the prospect after the success of the inaugural conference.

Muccioli, the main organizer from Ohio University for the 2013 event, is deter-

mining whether the conference will be held in Athens or at another location.

Qian and Maria Muccioli, managed Ohio University's participation in the event.

Students from West Virginia University, Marshall University and University of

Kentucky also organized aspects of the conference.

Original story appears here: www.ohio.edu/research/communications/arcc.cfm

Vinay Pathak of the National Cancer Institute delivered a keynote

Attending Ohio University Students

Student poster session

18 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

2012 Student Enhancement Award Recipients:

Adam Jara “Cardiac Action of Disrupted Growth Hormone Signaling” list and becomes a reality.

Aditi Vyas: “Identification of novel target genes of Jak/Stat pathway in Drosophila hematopoiesis”

2012 Student Research Expo:

Maria Muccioli— 1st place award Biological Sciences

Yi Liu—1st place award Biomedical Sciences

Adam Jara—1st place award

Adam Jara—2nd place award

Yanrong Qian—Joint 1st place award Bio Sciences

Outstanding Teaching Assistant:

Craig Schenck 2011-12 Environmental and Plant Biology

2012 Student Publication

Pooja Bhatt:

Bhatt P, Lewis CJ, House DL, Keller CM, Kohn LD, Silver MJ, McCall KD, Goetz DJ, Malgor R

(2012) Increased Wnt5a mRNA expression in advanced atherosclerotic lesions, and oxidized

LDL treated human monocyte-derived macrophages. The Open Circulation and Vascular Journal

5:1-7.

William Broach and Andrew Kouse

Erin R. Murphy, William H. Broach and Andrew B. Kouse. “Prokaryotic Gene Regulation by

Small RNAs” In Press. Encyclopedia of Molecular Life Sciences December, 2012

Maria Muccioli:

Muccioli, M., Longstaff, C., and Benencia, F,: “Absence of CD4 T Cell Help Provides a Robust

CD8 T Cell Response While Inducing Effective Memory in a Preclinical Model of Melanoma.”

Immunotherapy; submitted for review March 2012.

Muccioli, M., Sprague, L., Nandigam. H., Pate, M., and Benencia, F.; “Toll-like Receptors as

Novel Therapeutic Targets for Ovarian Cancer.” ISRN Oncology vol. 2012, Article ID 642141, 8

pages, 2012. doi:10.5402/2012/642141

Benencia, F., Sprague, L., McGinty, J., Pate, M., Muccioli, M.; “Dendritic cells, the tumor micro-

environment and the challenge for an effective anti-tumor vaccination.” Journal of Biomedicine

and Biotechnology vol. 2012, Article ID 425476, 15 pages, 2012 doi:10.1155/2012/425476.

Lingying Tong:

Adam Jara

Yi Liu and Yanrong Qian

Elahu Gosney

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 19

Stuart Inglis, 2007 Following graduation in March, 2007, I decided to make teaching

my primary focus. For the next 4 years, I settled back in my native land, Canada, teaching

math and science at a prestigious private school. Eager to return to academia, I spent the past

year teaching introductory biology, microbiology, and gross human anatomy at three separate

post-secondary institutions in the Greater Toronto Area.

A few short months ago the opportunity I’ve long waited for presented itself, and I accepted a

position with the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. I am now an

assistant professor with the department of basic biomedical sciences. My principle responsibil-

ity is teaching gross anatomy to upper level undergraduates, medical students, and the allied

health professions (OT, PT, and PA students). In addition, I have been appointed to the posi-

tions of director of Human Anatomy Laboratories at the university and director of the Body Do-

nation Program for the medical school. I’ve also accepted my first graduate student, who is

pursuing a master’s degree in clinical anatomy.

My wife and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary earlier this year. My oldest son, Caelan,

recently celebrated his 4th birthday, and my youngest son, Nolan, will be turning 2 in Novem-

ber.

Betsy Briju, 2011 Betsy began her career in teaching in Fall 2011, as a Visiting

Assistant Professor of Botany and General Biology at Ohio University in the department of

Environmental and Plant Biology. She finished her doctorate in Plant Molecular Biology with

MCB 2011. While teaching general biology and botany for non-major undergraduates, she

likes to incorporate technology in the classroom that will speak to the current generation of

digital natives. Her research interests include gene expression analysis using Bimolecular

Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) and education-related research. She enjoys outreach

activities with K-12 students and has worked with Planting Science (online mentoring program

of the American Society of Plant Biologists). Women in Science and Engineering and the Kids-

on-Campus program at OU. In her free time, she likes to play with her two-year old son and

also go hiking with her family and friends.

Wenxian Sun, 2003 Professor, Plant Pathology at China Agricultural University.

This past summer Bob Colvin had the opportunity to visit with alum and MCB Alumni Board

member Wenxian Sun while a visiting professor teaching in Beijing, China.

Betsy Briju

Stuart Inglis

Bob Colvin and Wenxian Sun

20 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

Akbar, Huzoor Publications: Perveen, R., Funk, K., Ridge, S.W., Cao, Y., Akkerman, J.A.W., Chen, X. and Huzoor Akbar. A novel small molecule 1,2,3,4,6 penta-O-galloyl-α-D-glucopyranose mim-ics the antiplatelet actions of insulin. PLoS ONE 6(11): e26238 (2011) PubMed.

Ballard, Harvey

Publications: Ballard, H. E., Jr. and H. H. Iltis. Viola lilliputana sp. nov. (Viola sect. Andinium, Violaceae), one of the world’s smallest violets, from the Andes of Peru. Brittonia, in press. Wahlert, G. A. and H. E. Ballard, Jr. 2012. A chloroplast phylogeny of Rinorea (Violaceae) with an emphasis on the African and Malagasy species. Systematic Botany 37: 964-973. Donnell, A., P. D. Cantino, and H. E. Ballard, Jr. 2012. Callianthe (Malvaceae): A new genus of Neotropical Malveae. Systematic Botany 37: 712-722. Keene, J., H. E. Ballard, Jr., and J. L. Clark. 2012. Two new species of Monopyle (Gesneriaceae) from northern Ecuador. Journal of the Botanical Research Insti-tute of Texas 5: 513-520.

Marcussen, T., K. S. Jakobsen, J. Danihelka, H. E. Ballard, K. Blaxland, A. K. Brysting, and B. Oxelman. 2012 [“2011”]. Inferring species networks from gene trees in high-polyploid North American and Hawaiian violets (Viola, Violaceae). Systematic Biology 60: 1-20.

Benencia, Fabian

Publications: Benencia, F., Sprague, L., McGinty, J., Pate, M., Muccioli, M. Dendritic cells the tumor microenvironment and the challenges for an effective antitumor vaccina-tion. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. 2012:425476. Review.

Bergmeier, Stephen

Grant: US Department of Agriculture $125,000.00 Novel Derivatives as Anticancer Agents. 2012

Berryman, Darlene

New Position: Director of the Diabetes Institute Grant: O’Bleness Foundation, $10,000.00 Live Healthy Appalachia—Food is Elementary

Blazyk, Jack

Grant: Osteopathic Heritage Foundation $382,760.00 Vision 2020: Leading the Transfor-mation of Primary Care in Ohio—Cultivating the Next Generation of Physician—Scientists at OU-HCOM

Chen, Shawn Publications: Qiao J, Chen L, Li Y, Wang J, Zhang W, Chen S. Whole-genome sequence of nocar-diopsis alba strain ATCC BAA-2165, associated with honeybees. J. Bacteriology (2012) 194: 6358-9 Zeng Y, Kulkarni A, Yang Z, Patil PB, Zhou W, Chi X, Van Lanen s, Chen S. Biosyn-thesis of albomycin δ2 provides a template for assembling siderophore and ami-noacyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor conjugates. ACS Chemical Biology (2012), 7:1565-1575.

Colvin, Robert

Grants: Ohio University Baker Award, $12,000, 7/01/11 - 6/30/13 "Understanding zinc homeostasis in cultured neurons,"

Publications: Liu Y, Cao Y, Zhang W, Bergmeier S, Qian Y, Akbar H, Colvin RA, Ding J, Tong L, Wu S, Hines J, and Chen X. A Small-Molecule Inhibitor of Glucose Transporter 1 Downregulates Glycolysis, Induces Cell-Cycle Arrest, and Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 11: 1672-1682, 2012.

Colvin RA and Liu J. Proceedings from the Great Lakes Bioinformatics Conference 2011. Preface. BMC bioinformatics 13 Suppl 2: I1, 2012

Colvin R.A., Stork C.J., Li Y.V., and Lai B. (2012) Exploring the Zinc Metallome of Cultured Cortical Neurons Using Synchroton Radiation X-Ray Fluorescence Mi-croscopy, In: Metal Ion in Stroke, Y.V. Li and J.H. Zhang eds. Springer, New York, pp 227-237.

Duerr, Janet

Publications: Mathews E.A., G.P. Mullen, J. Hogkin, J.S> Duerr, J.B. Rand (in press) Genetic Interactions between UNC-17/VAChT and a Novel Transmembrane Protein in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2012 Oct 10. [Epub ahead of print]

Faik, Ahmed

Grant: National Science Foundation $140,000.00 Functional Characterization of a Multi-Enzyme Complex involved in Xylan Synthesis in Wheat

Publications: A. Faik (2012) Assessment of proteomics strategies for plant cell wall glycosyl-transferases in wheat, a non-model species: glucurono(arabino)xylan as a case study Chapter in the book under the working title “Proteomics / Book 3”, ISBN 979-953-307-694-1

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 21

Gleissberg, Stefan

Publications Wreath, S., Bartholmes, C., Hidalgo, O., Scholz, A. and Gleissberg, S. (accepted): Silencing of EcFLO, a FLORICAULA/LEAFY gene of the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), affects flower specification in a perigynous flower context. International Journal of Plant Sciences

Hidalgo, O., Bartholmes, C., and Gleissberg, S. (2012): Virus-induced gene silenc-ing (VIGS) in Cysticapnos vesicaria, a zygomorphic-flowered Papaveraceae (Ranunculales, basal eudicots). Annals of Botany 109: 911-920

Bartholmes, C., Hidalgo, O., and Gleissberg, S. (2012): Evolution of the YABBY gene family with emphasis on the basal eudicotEschscholzia californica (Papaveraceae). Plant Biology 14: 11-23

Goetz, Douglas

Publications: HECA-452 is a non-function blocking antibody for isolated sialyl Lewis x adhesion to endothelial expressed E-selectin under flow conditions. PubMed.

Kummitha CM, Shirure VS, Delgadillo LF, Deosarkar SP, Tees DF, Burdick MM, Goetz DJ. J Immunol Methods. 2012 Jul 20. [Epub ahead of print]

Grijalva, Mario

Honors: Promotion to Full Professor, July 2012

Publications: Grijalva MJ, Suarex-Davalos V, Villacis AG, Ocana-Mayorga S, Dangles O. 2012. Ecological factors related to the widespread distribution of sylvatic Rhodnius ecuadoriensis populations in southern Ecuador. Parasites and Vectors. 13;5 (1):17. Full text

Gu, Tingyue

Publications: T. Gu (Ed.), “Green Biomass Pretreatment for Biofuels Production,” ISBN 978-94-007-6051-6. Springer, Berlin-New York. In press (2012).

J. Luo, M. Cai, T. Gu, “Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Green Ionic Liquids.” Chapter 6 in: Green Biomass Pretreatment for Biofuels Production, Springer, Berlin-New York. Accepted (2012).

T. Gu, “Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Supercritical Carbon Diox-ide As A Green Solvent.” Chapter 5 in: Green Biomass Pretreatment for Biofuels Production, Springer, Berlin-New York. Accepted (2012).

D. Xu, Y Li, T Gu, “D-methionine as a biofilm dispersal signaling molecule en-hanced tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate mitigation of Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm and biocorrosion pitting,” Materials and Corrosion, in press (2012).

D. Xu, Y Li, T Gu, “A synergistic D-tyrosine and tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphoni-um sulfate biocide combination for the mitigation of an SRB biofilm,” World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 28, 3067-3074 (2012).

D. Xu, J. Wen, W. Fu, T. Gu, I. Raad, "D-amino acids for the enhancement of a binary biocide cocktail consisting of THPS and EDDS against an SRB biofilm," World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 28, 1641-1646 (2012).

D. Xu, J. Wen, T. Gu, I. Raad, “Lab Investigation of a Triple Biocide Cocktail Con-sisting of Glutaraldehyde, EDDS and Methanol for the Mitigation of Souring and MIC Due to SRB in the Presence of Sand,” Corrosion, 68, 994-1002 (2012).

M. Tong, Z. Du, T. Gu, "Converting low-grade biomass to produce energy using bio-fuel cells," pp. 73-97 in Eco- and Renewable Energy Materials edited Y. Zhou, ISBN 978-3-642-33496-2, Springer, Berlin-New York, Dec. (2012).

T. Gu, “New Understandings of Biocorrosion Mechanisms and their Classifica-tions,” Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology, 4, 3-6 (2012). (PDF file)

M. Zhou, T. Jin, Z. Wu, M. Chi, T. Gu, "Microbial Fuel Cells for Bioenergy and Bioproducts," Chapter 8 in Bioenergy and Bioproducts edited by K. Gopalakrish-nan, J. van Leeuwen, R. Brown, ISBN 978-1-4471-2323-1, pp. 131-172, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-New York (2012). (PDF file)

J. Wen, D. Xu, T. Gu, I. Raad, "A green triple biocide cocktail consisting of a bio-cide, EDDS and methanol for the mitigation of planktonic and sessile SRB," World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 28, 431–435 (2012). (PDF file)

K. Guo, D. J. Hassett, T. Gu, "Advances in Microbial Fuel Cells for Potential Energy Production from Organic Feed Streams," Chapter 12 in Microbial Biotechnology: Energy and Environment edited by R. Arora, ISBN 978-1845939564, CAB Interna-tional, Oxon, United Kingdom. (2012).

Kopchick, John

Honors: Ohio Patent Impact Award 2012 Ohio University Distinguished Professor Endowed research chair named in honor of John Kopchick Publications: Kucia M, Masternak M, Liu R, Shin DM, Ratajczak J, Mierzejewska K, Spong A, Kopchick JJ, Bartke A, Ratajczak MZ. The negative effect of prolonged somato-trophic/insulin signaling on an adult bone marrow-residing population of pluripo-tent very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). Age (Dordr). 2012 Jan 5. [Epub ahead of print] Burgos-Ramos E, Sackmann-Sala L, Baquedano E, Cruz-Topete D, Barrios V, Ar-gente J, Kopchick JJ. Central leptin and insulin administration modulates serum cytokine- and lipoprotein-related markers. Metabolism. 2012 Jun 1. [Epub ahead of print] Słuczanowska-Głąbowska S, Laszczyńska M, Piotrowska K, Głąbowski W, Kopchick JJ, Bartke A, Kucia M, Ratajczak MZ. Morphology of ovaries in laron dwarf mice, with low circulating plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and in bovine GH-transgenic mice, with high circulating plasma levels of IGF-1. J Ovarian Res. 2012 Jul 2;5:18. Luca G, Calvitti M, Mancuso F, Falabella G, Arato I, Bellucci C, List EO, Bellezza E, Angeli G, Lilli C, Bodo M, Becchetti E, Kopchick JJ, Cameron DF, Baroni T, Calafiore R., Reversal of experimental Laron Syndrome by xenotransplantation of microen-capsulated porcine Sertoli cells. J Control Release. 2012 Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print] Giani JF, Miquet JG, Muñoz MC, Burghi V, Toblli JE, Masternak MM, Kopchick JJ, Bartke A, Turyn D, Dominici FP. Upregulation of the angiotensin-converting en-zyme 2/angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis in the heart and the kidney of growth hormone receptor knock-out mice. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2012 Sep 2. [Epub ahead of print]

22 molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012

McCall, Kelly

Publications: Book Chapters McCall, K.D., Benencia, F., Malgor, R., Schwartz, A.L., Kohn, L.D., Schwartz, F.L. (2012) Toll-Like Receptors as Novel Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer (Book Chapter). Pancreatic Cancer - Molecular Mechanism and Targets, ISBN 978-953-51-0410-0: 361-398. Bhatt, P.M, Lewis, C.J., House, D.L., McCall, K.D., Goetz, D.J., Malgor, R. (2012) Oxidized LDL increases Wnt5a mRNA expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages. The Open Circulation & Vascular Journal. 5:1-7.

Murphy, Erin

Awards: Nominated by students at Ohio Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine as “Best Basic Science Instructor” and “Best Research Mentor”

Publications: Amanda Oglesby-Sherrouse and Erin R. Murphy. Iron-responsive Bacterial Small RNAs: Variations on a Theme. Metallomics. Accepted for publication. Erin R. Murphy, William H. Broach and Andrew B. Kouse. “Prokaryotic Gene Regu-lation by Small RNAs”. Encyclopedia of Molecular Life Sciences. Accepted for publication William Broach, Nicholas Egan, Helen J. Wing, Shelley M. Payne and Erin R. Mur-phy. “VirF-independent regulation of Shigella virB transcription is mediated by the small RNA RyhB” PloS ONE, Vol 7, No. 6

Vis, Morgan

Awards: Fulbright Fellow, US government, Research/Creative Activity, Interna-tional. (2011)

Welch, Lonnie

Publications: Lonnie R. Welch, Russell Schwartz, Fran Lewitter, A Report of the Curriculum Task Force of the ISCB Education Committee PLOS Computational Biology, June 2012 http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pcbi.1002570

White, Matthew

Grant: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources $1464.00 2012: Native Percid Ge-netic Analysis

Wu, Shiyong

New Position: Director of Edison Biotechnology Institute Grant: Administrative supplement from NSFC-NIH. $50,000 Publications: Ye Yuan, Shin Hee Lee and Shiyong Wu*. The Role Of ROS In Ionizing Radiation-Induced VLA-4 Mediated Adhesion Of RAW254.7 Cells to VCAM-1 Under Flow Conditions. Radiation Research (2012) (Accepted)

Huiwen Cheng, Molly Y. Mollica, Shin Hee Lee, Lei Wang, Carlos A Velazques-Martines* and Shiyong Wu*. Effects of Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NONO-NSAIDs) on Melanoma Cell Adhesion. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. (2012) Aug 4. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed

Weiwei Yuan, Xuelin Zhang, Yu Xu, Shasha Li, Yide Hu* and Shiyong Wu*. Role Of HOXB7 In Regulation Of Progression And Metastasis Of Human Lung Adenocarci-noma. Mol. Carcinogenesis (2012) Aug 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed

Liu Y, Cao Y, Zhang W, Bergmeier SC, Qian Y, Akbar H, Colvin RA, Ding J, Tong L, Wu S, Hines JV, and Chen X*. A small molecule inhibitor of glucose transporter 1 down-regulates glycolysis, induces cell cycle arrest, and inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Mol. Cancer Therapeutics (2012) Jun 11. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed

Lu W and Wu S*. Mechanism for Dynamic Regulation of iNOS Expression After UVB-Irradiation. Mol Carcinogenesis (2012) Mar 16. [Epub ahead of print] Pub-Med

George KS, Elyassaki W, Wu Q and Wu S*. The Role of Cholesterol In Ultraviolet Light B-Induced Apoptosis. Photochem Photobio 2012 Sept-Oct; 88(5):1191-7. PubMed

Wu Q and Wu S*. Lipid Rafts Association of Prohibitin And Its Role in Ultraviolet B Light –Induced Apoptosis. Exp. Dermatology (2012) Aug; 21(8):640-2. PubMed

George KS and Wu S*. Lipid Raft: A Floating Island Of Death or Survival. (Invited Review) Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. (2012) 259 (3): 311-319. PubMed

Wyatt, Sarah

New Position: 2012/13 Faculty Leave with the National Science Foundation serving as a program director for the Integrative Organismal Systems Cluster

Grants: National Science Foundation—$250,000 Organism and Environment Cluster, IOS. “Gravitropic Signal Transduction: A network approach to identifying the regulato-ry mechanisms.”

Publications: Shen, K., Wyatt, S. E., Nadella, V., A., Pipeline for microarray data analysis and visualization. Journal of Bimolecular Techniques.

molecular and cellular biology alumni news fall 2012 23

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