Faculty Members in the MB3 Program in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics

All faculty involved with mentoring in the MB3 Program are actively involved in research. The faculty members are listed below along with a brief description of their research interests. You can find out more information about individual faculty and their research by following the links to their personal web pages. If you wish to learn more about the research projects going on in faculty labs, just contact us. We'd love to hear from you.

MB3 Department

Dr. James A. Saunders
Smith Hall 360, 410-704-3491
jsaunders@towson.edu
Director, MB3 Program
Professor,
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Ph.D., Miami University of Ohio

My research includes more than 30 years of investigation into aspects of plant biochemistry relating to secondary natural products. These include studies of the biosynthesis, subcellular localization, function and regulation of alkaloids, phenolics, drugs of abuse, smoking and tobacco issues, and a wide array of genomic investigations related to the chocolate industry. My later work has focused on molecular technology in plants related to DNA fingerprinting, gene transfer and gene expression methodology.

The development of taxonomic and phylogenetic classification of the eubacterial class Mollicutes whose members are all closely associated with a variety of hosts including vertebrates (Mycoplasmas, Ureaplasmas), arthropod hosts (Entomoplasmas, Spiroplasms, Mesoplasmas) and plants (Phytoplasmas). Bacterial strains are currently classified using serological and biochemical tests. However, it has recently been determined that using these classical characters to distinguish "serogroup" status may not accurately represent species distinctions as originally thought. For this reason a major long term project within my laboratory is to characterize the diversity and assess the relationships among the genera using cladistic analyses based on serology, metabolic tests, morphology, ecology, molecular and biogeographical data. Undergraduate students have a wide range of opportunities to conduct research on evolutionary relationships within and among the different Mollicute genera.

The Towson University Herpes Virus Laboratory (TUHVL) is studying pathogenic mechanisms employed by three different human herpesviruses, the virus’ interactions with the host immune system, and means of antiviral intervention for each infectious agent.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the etiologic agent for fever blisters and cold sores. We are using a mouse model of infection to explore long-term delivery of the useful anti-herpetic acyclovir. We have already developed silicone-based controlled-release devices that release acyclovir at a quantity and rate that completely stops infection in vitro, and prevent reoccurrences in vivo. We are currently collaborating with multiple labs in the US to improve efficacy and extend our studies to other viruses and model systems, including HSV-2, the etiologic agent of genital herpes.

We are also examining an odd molecular phenomenon exhibited by the US27-encoded chemokine receptor-like glycoprotein expressed by human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a ubiquitous pathogen that tends to cause solid organ damage, including but not limited to CMV retinitis, a blindness caused by death of retinal cells in the eye. Although there does not appear to be anything special about the mRNA or protein sequences from this gene, it is clear that a single transcript codes for two related glycoproteins. Our favorite hypothesis, that alternative initiation codons are being employed, is currently under investigation.

It has been hypothesized, through many lines of circumstantial evidence, that human herpevirus-6 (HHV-6) is the indirect cause of multiple sclerosis (MS), perhaps by tricking the host immune system into attacking itself through a phenomenon called molecular mimicry. We are developing a mouse model for MS that employs expression of a single HHV-6 protein and whether it can be proved as a causative link to MS. We believe such a system will give us an ideal small animal model to definitively prove or disprove the currently circulating theories of a viral origin for MS, and provide a system to test many different antiviral drugs' ability to combat MS.

Don Forester and I have been collaboratively examining the maternal behavior of the Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ocoee) for a number of years through field and laboratory studies. These studies have yielded quite interesting results, and have provided insight into the evolution of cooperation and the biology of maternal behavior.
Scott Johnson and I are currently collaborating on a project that examines reproductive behavior in house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) using field and molecular studies. We are specifically interested in how specific behaviors impact reproductive success with the goal of better understanding the mechanisms that drive the evolution of animal behavior.
I am very interested in the role of genetic diversity in the fitness of organisms. A project involving undergraduate and graduate students has shown the role of genetic diversity, as measured by microsatellite DNA fingerprinting, in the fitness of house wrens. I am currently beginning a project that will investigate the role of genetic diversity in the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). These studies have implications for evolutionary biology as well as in conservation efforts.

Dr. Roland Roberts
Smith Hall 205, 410-704-3034
rroberts@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge

My laboratory is engaged in research on the systematics and evolution of vascular plants. Taxonomic groups of current interest are the Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae. I am also interested in the evolution of desert flora, particularly population structure and the roll of hybridization in speciation, and the biogeography and evolution of the flora of the West Indies specifically that of the islands of the Lesser Antilles. Methodologies employed for uncovering evolutionary relationships include the use DNA sequences of chloroplast and nuclear genes along with traditional techniques.

My overall research aim is to increase our understanding of how and what chemosensory information is processed in the insect brain and to contribute to the knowledge of how nervous systems analyze, recognize, and respond to complex sensory stimuli.

Dr. Colleen Sinclair
Smith Hall 215A, 410-704-3124
csinclair@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Mayo Clinic and Foundation

My laboratory is involved in the study of genetic diversity in populations of invertebrates and vertebrates. Current projects include the evaluation of population diversity in non-biting midges (Cricotopus sp.) from Baltimore streams (collaboration with Dr. Susan Gresens), the development of microsatellite libraries for and the analysis of the genetic structure of terrestrial snails, Ventridens ligera and Succinea sp. and an analysis of genetic influence on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) success (collaboration with Dr. Jay Nelson).

Dr. Michelle Snyder
Smith Hall
msnyder@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Northwestern University

Research in my laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms by which cells of the innate immune system identify disease-causing pathogens. Evidence in recent years suggests that innate immune cells can recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on bacterial and fungal cell walls and in bacterial and viral nucleic acids. The processes by which mammalian innate immune cells recognize these PAMPs appear conserved in a variety of organisms including plants, worms and fruitflies. Our research involves an even simpler organism, the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, and our preliminary results suggest that Dictyostelium recognize and respond to PAMPs through similar mechanisms as do mammalian innate immune cells. We are hoping that given the ease with which genetic pathways can be manipulated in Dictyostelium cells, our study of Dictyostelium responses to PAMPs will allow for identification and characterization of novel pathways that are also involved in innate immune responses in mammals.

Dr. Joy Watts
Smith Hall 489A, 410-704-2623
jwatts@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Warwick, UK

Use of molecular tools to monitor and investigate microbial communities involved in pollutant breakdown.

My laboratory employs a combination of molecular genetic and classical physiological tools to address three aspects of plant function. I have long-term interests in the response of plants to salt stress and the mechanisms of phloem translocation. Our approach to the salt stress response has been to identify genes induced by sub-lethal levels of salt stress, and to test their role in salt-stress resistance by altering their expression in transgenic plants. Our studies of phloem translocation have concentrated on the mechanism of phloem loading, and the control of that process. Our goal is to produce plants with increased tolerance to saline soil conditions.

My research is primarily in the field of neuroscience. This multidisciplinary field incorporates areas such as psychology, cell biology, biochemistry and computer science. The major focus of my research is to understand the neural circuits involved in reward and motivation, especially in regards to drug addiction and feeding. My lab utilizes rat models of binge-feeding, alcohol drinking and cocaine addiction, to test the hypothesis that the neural circuits important in the development and maintenance of these behaviors are overlapping. In addition, I am interested in how the brain regulates energy balance by sensing the macronutrient composition of the diet. Because of the nature of the neuroscience field, projects in my lab will span many disciplines; experiments will combine behavioral analysis of rodent models with molecular and chemical analysis of brain. I look forward to working with undergraduate and graduate students as my experiments get underway.

Department of Chemistry

My research interests concern the energetics and dynamics of nucleic acid structure. He has done physical studies on conformation transitions such as the B-to-Z transition in DNA. Presently I am collaborating with Dr. Ryzhkov in an investigation of doubly spin-labeled DNA oligonucleotides. The paramagnetic probes will be sensitive to the local conformation and dynamics of the molecule, as detected by EPR spectroscopy.

I have written programs to study de novo simulations of protein folding, and run hundreds of computational experiments to simulate protein folding using massively parallel computing. During a sabbatical leave 10 years ago in the laboratory of the late Christian B. Anfinsen, I studied proteins produced by the extreme thermophile Pyrococcus Furiosis. In collaboration with Dr. R. J. Feldmann, then at NIH, I created more than a hundred different "stereoviews" for his first biochemistry textbook, the first textbook author to do so. My research projects also include analysis of protein data bank using Mole program, development of capillary electrophoresis protocols for protein separation (with Professor Topping), and analysis of critical phenomena and phase diagrams of protein folding (with Professor Ryzhkov).

Professor Lev Ryzhkov has accumulated close to 14 years of graduate, post-doctoral and faculty experience in teaching physical, general, and organic chemistry and instrumental analysis. He conducts his research in the areas of protein folding and homology-based design, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The latter includes EPR studies of conformations and dynamics of spin-labeled oligonucleotides. He also uses NMR spectroscopy of reacting radical systems (CIDNP) for quantitative and qualitative studies of alkyl and acyloxy radicals and their radical pairs, and investigates stereochemical effects on proton chemical shifts in flexible polycyclic molecules. In the past five years he has supervised sixteen undergraduate students, most of those supported by external grants, including a Pfizer Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship, multiple Raspert Fellowships, and external support from Kraft Foods, LANL, and NSF-CCLI and REU programs. To date he has published five papers with undergraduate students as co-authors.

Dr. Clare Muhoro
Smith Hall 514G, 410-704-4827
cmuhoro@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Yale University

Organometallic chemistry research on the synthesis, characterization and reactivity of phosphanyl(organyl)boranes This project explores the chemistry of phosphanyl(organyl) boranes, a group of compounds with potential applications in transition metal and polymer chemistries. As a result of their dual donor and acceptor nature, phosphanyl(organyl)boranes can be used to craft highly desirable metal complexes that can be employed to selectively attenuate metal complex properties. Our goal is to develop reliable and general synthetic methodology to these compounds and to apply their bifunctional properties in innovative ways.

Environmental chemistry research on the chemical fate of carbamate pesticides. Our primary interest lies in investigating the chemical fate of carbamate pesticides in aquatic systems. Carbamates are derivatives of carbamic acid and find diverse applications in global agriculture. Ligand-like carbamates and inorganic materials in soils may undergo interesting coordination chemistry under environmental conditions. Our goal is to describe selected chemical processes of this type.

Dr. Cynthia Zeller
Smith Hall 514G, 410-704-2170
czeller@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham

Use of cell/molecular biological methods applied to problems in forensic science, including development of methodologies that can be readily automated in the forensic laboratory setting. Development of specific cell staining techniques which will aid in the unequivocal identification of sperm cells in mixed stain samples; development of procedures that will allow for utilization of degraded DNA as is seen in mass disater situations; and devlopment of protocols which will allow for the rapid extraction of DNA from sperm cells, thereby purifying this fraction for downstream DNA analysis procedures.

Dr. Nadim Alkharouf
York Road 423, 410-704-3149
nalkharouf@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., George Mason University

My research interests include the design and development of databases for high throughput biological experiments. My main focus has been on DNA sequencing data, gene expression and proteomics experiments. I am also very interested in data mining and OLAP (online analytical processing), a method for large database mining. In the past I worked on soybean genomics, building databases and analyzing gene expression data from experiments dealing with the identification of resistance genes in soybean against a devastating parasite known as the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Recently I have been working on developing a database analysis system for blue berry genomics and analyzing gene expression data related to blue berry cold hardiness. I am also working on a new algorithm that builds a better peptide database for Mascot (proteomics) searches, one that results in more significant hits.

The analysis and interpretation of biological data requires tools that help scientists explore, and navigate large and complex data sets.

Interactive tools that support graphical overviews of large datasets, interactive illustration of links between related items, and highly-responsive filtering for items of interest help biologists focus on the scientific questions at hand, rather than on the computer. We apply these principles to varying biological data sets, including sequence data, gene expression data, and digital microscopy.

Dr. Sungchul Hong
York Road 479, 410-704-6338
shong@towson.edu
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Texas, Dallas

Intelligent agents, auction mechanisms and data classification (machine learning approach).

Department of Mathematics

DNA splicing systems, DNA computing and DNA implementations of genetic algorithms.

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MOLECULAR BIOLOGY•BIOCHEMISTRY•BIOINFORMATICS

Faculty Members

MB3 Department

Department of Chemistry

Department of Mathematics