Genomics

Results of a transcriptome study by Libertas Academia

Genomic research in the biology department utilizes bioinformatic analysis of genome and transcriptome datasets to address questions on the genetics of disease, population genetics, microbiome function, and the control of gene expression. This work is supported by access to the University's core genomics facilities and free access to Drexel’s Proteus Computing Cluster.

Faculty Conducting Research in Genomics

	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
	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.
	Tali Gidalevitz Assistant Professor PISB 418 Tali.gidalevitz@drexel.edu
	Mary Katherine Gonder Director, Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program; Co-Founder, Central African Biodiversity Alliance; Associate Professor PISB 420 mkg62@drexel.edu	Genomics, evolutionary processes, tropical biodiversity, conservation science, educational capacity building
	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

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.

Tali Gidalevitz

Assistant Professor
PISB 418
Tali.gidalevitz@drexel.edu

Mary Katherine Gonder

Director, Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program; Co-Founder, Central African Biodiversity Alliance; Associate Professor
PISB 420
mkg62@drexel.edu

Genomics, evolutionary processes, tropical biodiversity, conservation science, educational capacity building

Aleister Saunders

Senior Vice Provost for Research; Professor
104 Left Bank
Aleister.Saunders@drexel.edu

Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular/Cellular Biology