Genetics & Molecular Biology Research

Research in the biology department utilizes manipulative approaches to study gene function and the genetics of disease in a variety of model systems, including C. elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, mice, rats, and mammalian cell culture. In addition, our research aims to elucidate the molecular basis of biological function, whether the emphasis is on aspects of cell physiology or structure, or on processes like the regulation of gene expression.

Faculty Conducting Research in Genetics & Molecular Biology

	Contact	Specialization
	Michael Akins Assistant Professor PISB 319 mra69@drexel.edu	Experience-dependent plasticity in the mammalian nervous system; post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in neurons
	Shivanthi Anandan Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education; Associate Professor PISB 320 anandans@drexel.edu	My research program uses molecular genetic and classical microbial genetics to study signal transduction pathways in marine and freshwater cyanobacteria.
	John Bethea Department Head, Professor PISB 123.04 jrb445@drexel.edu
	Felice Elefant Associate Professor, Co-Director of the Biology Graduate Program PISB 317 fe22@drexel.edu	Impairment of epigenetic gene control mechanisms in the brain involving histone acetylation causes significant cognitive deficits that are a debilitating hallmark of most neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). My laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms that govern epigenetic regulation of higher order brain function. Recently, we made the exciting discovery that epigenetic Tip60 histone acetylation (HAT) action is critical for cognitive processes and remarkably, plays a neuroprotective role under in vivo disease state neurodegenerative conditions. We are currently exploring the mechanisms underlying neural Tip60 HAT function in neuroprotective epigenetic gene control and the beneficial impact that environmental enrichment conditions has on these processes. Our studies should provide new understanding into epigenetic-based mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders, and broad insights into HAT based drug design for early therapeutic intervention of cognitive deficits.
	Denise Garcia Assistant Professor PISB 422 adg82@drexel.edu	Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
	Tali Gidalevitz Assistant Professor PISB 418 Tali.gidalevitz@drexel.edu
	Daniel Marenda Associate Professor PISB 421 daniel.marenda@drexel.edu	Developmental neurobiology and behavior. Modeling Alzheimer’s disease, CHARGE syndrome, and Pitt-Hopkins in Drosophila
	Nianli Sang Co-Director of the Cell Imaging Center; Associate Professor PISB 417 nianli.sang@drexel.edu	Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Bases of Major Human Diseases
	Aleister Saunders Senior Vice Provost for Research; Professor 104 Left Bank Aleister.Saunders@drexel.edu	Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular/Cellular Biology

Contact

Specialization

Michael Akins

Assistant Professor
PISB 319
mra69@drexel.edu

Experience-dependent plasticity in the mammalian nervous system; post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in neurons

Shivanthi Anandan

Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education; Associate Professor
PISB 320
anandans@drexel.edu

My research program uses molecular genetic and classical microbial genetics to study signal transduction pathways in marine and freshwater cyanobacteria.

John Bethea

Department Head, Professor
PISB 123.04
jrb445@drexel.edu

Felice Elefant

Associate Professor, Co-Director of the Biology Graduate Program
PISB 317
fe22@drexel.edu

Impairment of epigenetic gene control mechanisms in the brain involving histone acetylation causes significant cognitive deficits that are a debilitating hallmark of most neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). My laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms that govern epigenetic regulation of higher order brain function. Recently, we made the exciting discovery that epigenetic Tip60 histone acetylation (HAT) action is critical for cognitive processes and remarkably, plays a neuroprotective role under in vivo disease state neurodegenerative conditions. We are currently exploring the mechanisms underlying neural Tip60 HAT function in neuroprotective epigenetic gene control and the beneficial impact that environmental enrichment conditions has on these processes. Our studies should provide new understanding into epigenetic-based mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders, and broad insights into HAT based drug design for early therapeutic intervention of cognitive deficits.