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Collaborative
Biomedical Research Program |
This program was established to foster the integration of clinical
medicine and basic research. Collaborative Research Projects are
supervised by co-principal investigators at the University of Massachusetts
in conjunction with faculty at Baystate Medical Center. These collaborations
offer graduate students extensive exposure to the challenges faced
by physicians and access to clinical specimens. |
BIGIALS: Bioinformatics,
Genomics, and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Life Sciences |
Faculty research group focusing on genomics-enabled research,
including bioinformatics and the overarching theme of cross-disciplinary
research opportunities in life sciences using approaches from the
physical and computational sciences. |
| Research Clusters in the Molecular
and Cellular Biology Program |
Biomedicine and Molecular Genetics group
|
The Biomedicine and Molecular Genetics group uses model systems,
ranging from microbes to mammalian, for analysis of cell cycle control,
DNA repair, and the mechanisms of susceptibility and mutation in
human disease. |
Development
group |
The Development group studies signals that determine tissue development.
Interests range from oogenesis and embryonic development to neural
development in a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
|
Immunology and Host-Microbe Interactions group |
The Immunology and Host-Microbe Interactions group offers strengths
in the development and function of the immune system and immunity
to pathogens leading to development of vaccines and disease-resistant
plants and animals. |
Neuroendocrine group |
The Neuroendocrine group is devoted to studies of the control
of endocrine secretions by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and behavioral
responses in vertebrates. |
Nucleic Acids, Nucleic Acid-Protein Complexes and Gene Expression
group |
The Nucleic Acids, Nucleic Acid-Protein Complexes and Gene Expression
group studies the varied roles of DNA and RNA in the familiar processes
of transcription and translation, and also the cellular functions
of small RNAs and exploiting RNAs as catalysts. |
Plant
Molecular Biology group |
The Plant Molecular Biology group is drawn together by the common
use of plants, but is investigating various aspects of development,
molecular genetics, signal transduction, and preparation of transgenic
plants. This group is also designing polymers that are degradable
by microorganisms and engineering plants and microorganisms to synthesize
polymers. |
Signal
Transduction group |
The Signal Transduction group studies ligand-mediated signaling
pathways that regulate cellular responses and consequences in the
context of living cells. The responses include cellular proliferation,
gene transcription, locomotion, and migration. |
Structural Biochemistry and Biophysics group |
The Structural Biochemistry and Biophysics group emphasizes mechanistic
studies of molecular interactions (metal ions in enzymes, protein-protein,
DNA-protein interactions). This group also offers strengths in the
study of proteins as reflected in their folding, stability, and
subcellular sorting. |
| Research Clusters in the Neuroscience
and Behavior Program |
Molecular
and Cellular Neuroscience |
Faculty members within this area apply state-of-the-art molecular
and genetic techniques to the analysis of neuronal function and
development in a variety of model systems. There is a highly interactive
group studying molecular mechanisms of development and plasticity
in invertebrates (particularly Drosophila) and in zebrafish. Another
major area of interest involves alteration of gene expression in
the mammalian brain by various chemical (hormones, neurotransmitters,
drugs, phytochemicals, and industrial pollutants) and environmental
(light-dark cycle, social stimuli) factors. |
Neuroendocrinology |
Faculty in this group have formed a Center for Neuroendocrine
Studies, which emphasizes interdisciplinary and collaborative studies
on the interactions between hormones, brain function, and behavior.
Current research interests include hormones and neuronal development,
regulation of neuroendocrine cells and behavior, circadian rhythms,
environmental endocrine disruptors, and neuronal integration of
experiential, metabolic, and hormonal signals. There is particular
emphasis on reproductive neuroendocrinology and the role of gonadal
steroids in ovulation and female mating behavior, sexual differentiation,
and feeding behavior. |
Neural
and Behavioral Correlates of Development |
This research cluster spans a broad range of interests including
molecular genetic analyses of model systems, developmental psychobiology,
and cognitive development in human infants. Specific research areas
include the development and genetic control of neural pathways and
synapse formation, involvement of hormones and neuropeptides in
prenatal development, reorganizational and plastic responses to
injury, drugs, or environmental changes, learning and behavior in
neonates, central visual pathway organization, and the development
of sensorimotor coordination. Many faculty members participate in
highly interactive research groups focused on either invertebrate
neurodevelopment and molecular genetics or vertebrate and human
development. |
Animal
Behavior, Learning and Systems Neuroscience |
This cluster focuses on the evolutionary, comparative, physiological,
and social mechanisms underlying vertebrate and invertebrate behavior
in laboratory and field settings. Areas of study are focused on
species-typical behaviors and cognitive function in a variety of
species ranging from jumping spiders to non-human primates, as well
as mechanisms and computational modeling of simple forms of learning.
Collaborative studies are underway with other Neuroscience and Behavior
faculty interested either in neural and behavioral development or
cellular and molecular neuroscience. |
| Faculty Research Areas in the
Plant Biology Graduate Program |
Cell And Molecular Biology |
The Cell and Molecular Biology area of focus addresses the molecular
basis for plant growth, adaptation, reproduction, and development.
The laboratories within this group utilize an array of advanced
experimental approaches from biochemistry, and molecular cell biology
to classical and molecular genetics, and physiology. The broad range
of research interests within this group offers incoming students
the opportunity of a diverse, multidisciplinary training experience. |
Ecology and Evolution |
The Ecology and Evolution focus in PB deals with the organismal
to community levels of plant biology and how the biology of plants
changes over evolutionary time. The nine PB faculty in this focus
area have special interests in invasive plant species, clonal plants,
coastal vegetation, forest ecology, bryophytes, reproductive biology,
fire ecology, genomics, and local floristics and conservation. |
Environmental
Stress Biology |
The environmental stress focus in Plant Biology deals with the
separate and combined roles of abiotic and biotic stressors on plant
growth, development, and reproduction, with an emphasis on whole-plant
biology approaches. Faculty in this focus area have interests in
the nature of tolerance and susceptibility of plants to pathogens,
ozone, heavy metals and salt. Factors that affect plant response
to stressors, such as environmental factors and genetic predisposition
are also investigated. Biological control of plant pathogens and
invasive plants is included here. |
| Research in Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology |
Cell
Cycle Control and Cancer |
Cell surface receptor signaling, regulation of cell adhesion
to the extracellular matrix, tumor induction of cell surface receptor
expression, centromeres and kinetochores: molecular machines control
chromosome movement, signal transduction in development and tumorigenesis. |
Developmental
Biology |
Plant embryogenesis, polyhydroxyalkanote inclusion bodies, signal
transduction in development and tumorigenesis, signal transduction
in vegetative and reproductive development in plants. |
Organelle Biogenesis and Development |
Molecular biology of the mitochondrial translation system, protein
expression in bacteria and yeast, mechanisms of protein import into
plant chloroplasts, protein targeting, organelle biogenesis, gene
expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in yeast. |
Protein
Folding and Maturation |
Biophysical approaches to protein folding and localization, mechanisms
of protein import into plant chloroplasts, Protein targeting, organelle
biogenesis, protein folding, quality control and degradation of
membrane glycoproteins. |
Protein
Synthesis, Structure, and Function |
Biophysical approaches to protein folding and localization, molecular
biology of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), snoRNA biotechnology,
ribosome assembly and function, protein-RNA interactions, protein
synthesis, centromeres and kinetochores: molecular machines control
chromosome movement, molecular biology of the mitochondrial translation
system, protein expression in bacteria and yeast. |
RNA
Synthesis, Structure, and Function |
Molecular biology of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), snoRNA biotechnology,
ribosome assembly and function, protein-RNA interactions, protein
synthesis, molecular biology of the mitochondrial translation system,
protein expression in bacteria and yeast. |
| Department of Food Science Research
Areas |
Food Biopolymers
and Colloids |
Development and application of new analytical technologies for
characterizing molecular, structural and rheological properties
of biopolymers; studies of the contribution of molecular water to
the plasticization of food biopolymers; studies of the role of biopolymers
in the formation of food gels and emulsions with improved shelf-life
and quality; enhanced physical and nutritional functionality of
food ingredients by molecular modification and controlled ingredient
interactions; studies of lipid oxidation in colloidal systems. |
Food
Biotechnology |
Study of molecular and physiological regulation of the phenylpropanoid
pathway in preservative-producing clones in response to bacteria
in relation to rosmarinic acid synthesis and vitrification; Molecular
(DNA) probe and enzyme technology for detection of food pathogens
like Escherishia coli: 0157, Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium
perfringens; Molecular (DNA) probe and enzyme technology for detection
of fish pathogens and spoilage bacteria; Development of solid-state
fermentation technology for release of phenolic aglycones during
fungal fermentation of fruit processing wastes and legume foods;
Study of the use of amino acids from fish by-products for stimulation
of the phenylpropanoid pathway in elite phenolics-producing clones;
Biochemical characterization of pectinase inhibitors; Fermentation
and separation technologies for utilization of fishery by-products;
Genetics of lactic acid fermentation; Genetics of amylase synthesis
in relation to sporulation in Clostridium perfringens; Biochemical
characterization of water and metabolites in biological systems
using NMR and spectroscopic techniques; Biochemistry and nutritional
aspects of antioxidants in food systems; Modeling of growth and
product synthesis in microbial and plant systems; Modeling of growth,
biochemical and physical properties during solid state fermentation
of legume foods and food processing wastes; Food Enzymology; Use
of proteases for development of value-added products from fish hydrolysates;
Biochemistry of mineral uptake and role of foods. |
Health
Sciences and Functional Foods |
Development and assessment of natural antioxidants as food protectants
and human functional ingredients; Production of flavor, color and
healthful ingredients through maximization of secondary metabolite
production in plants; Stabilization of fish oils to produce products
such as mayonnaise and margarines with bioactive lipids; Development
of technologies to maximize positive physiological effects of foods
and their components; Maximization of mineral bioavailability through
physicochemical interactions in food and process optimization; Molecular
modification of food components to maximize physiological effects;
Inhibition of the formation of toxic end products in processed and
stored foods; Stabilization of physiologically beneficial compounds
in foods. |
| Research in the Department of
Microbiology |
Microbiology |
Genome-Enabled Studies of the Physiology and Ecology of Novel
Anaerobic Microorganisms; Ecology and Physiology of Microorganisms
in Anaerobic Ecosystems; Microbial Ecology and Physiology, Bioremediation/Phytoremediation,
Ecology of Waterborne Diseases; Virology: Analysis of the Interaction
of DNA Tumor Virus SV40 with Permissive and Semipermissive cells;
Global transcriptional regulation in response to environmental stress;
Genetics of Recombination and DNA Replication in Bacteria and Archaea.
Microbial inclusions, mechanisms of infection and the generation
of protective immunity. |
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