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Genetics, Cell, and Developmental Biology

The Department has several faculty members whose research interests are the fields of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology. Specific Faculty research interests include the maintenance and repair of the genetic material (Crouse, Spell), the regulation of gene expression (Corces, Jones, Kelly, Lucchesi, Taylor), evolutionary and population biology genetics (Gerardo, Levin, Real, Schlenke, Tao, Yokoyama) and the genetic and biochemical pathways involved in the development of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms (Kelly, Fritz, L'Hernault, Lynn, Shepherd, Siegler, Yedvobnick). A wide variety of genetic model organisms are used by faculty working in these areas including yeast (S. cervisiae); fruit fly (D. melanogaster); nematode (C. elegans) and zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Faculty working in this area of research:

Faculty		Quick Description
	Anita Corbett Rollins 1021 404-727-4546 acorbe2@emory.edu	Research in our laboratory primarily focuses on determining the function of evolutionarily-conserved RNA binding proteins. These RNA binding proteins play critical roles at many steps in gene expression. Interestingly, mutations in genes that encode ubiquitously expressed RNA binding proteins often lead to tissue-specific diseases. View Profile.
	Gray Crouse, Emeritus Rollins 1009 404-727-4236 gcrouse@emory.edu	We study processes that cause DNA damage and mutation in the cell, and processes that repair the damage before it can cause mutations. Our particular interest is in oxidative damage and we use that most perfect of model organisms, yeast. View Profile.
	Roger Deal Rollins 2017 404-727-8087 roger.deal@emory.edu	Our research is driven by a desire to understand the fundamental mechanisms of chromatin-based gene regulation. We strive to elucidate how these mechanisms are used to shape the gene expression profiles of individual cell types during cell differentiation and organ formation. View Profile.
	Andreas Fritz Rollins 1119 404-727-9012 andreas.fritz@emory.edu	The highly reproducible development of complex organisms from a single cell is one of the most amazing biological processes. We use the zebrafish model system to investigate the genetic and molecular requirements underlying embryonic patterning and development. View Profile.
	Nicole Gerardo Rollins 1111 404-727-0394 nicole.gerardo@emory.edu	Our lab is interested in how host and microbial traits shape the evolution of both beneficial and harmful associations. We are particularly interested in how host immune responses differ upon introduction of beneficial versus harmful microbes, and how the presence of protective microbes alters host investment in immunity. We utilize insect microbe associations amenable to experimental manipulation. View Profile.
	David Gorkin Rollins 1009 david.gorkin@emory.edu	How does a single genetic blueprint give rise to the trillions of highly specialized cells that make up a human being? To carry out this amazing feat, cells have a vast array of proteins that layer epigenetic information on top of the genetic blueprint -- collectively referred to as the "epigenetic machinery". My research uses genomic approaches to understand how this epigenetic machinery works, and what happens when it malfunctions. View Profile.
	Meleah Hickman Rollins 1027 404-727-6491 meleah.hickman@emory.edu	The Hickman lab investigates the strategies yeast species employ to generate genetic and phenotypic variation that facilitate environmental adaptation. We primarily focus on the genomic plasticity of Candida albicans, the leading fungal pathogen of humans and its ability to rapidly acquire resistance to antifungal drugs. View Profile.
	George H. Jones, Emeritus Rollins 2001 404-727-0712 george.h.jones@emory.edu	Dr. Jones retired in 2013. We are interested in the biochemistry and evolution of RNA degradation pathways in bacteria and the relationship of RNA degradation to antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces . We are particulary interested in RNA polyadenylation in various bacterial species and in the role of double strand specific endoribonucleases in regulating antibiotic production. We utilize biochemical, genetic, and bioinformatic approaches to study these systems. View Profile.
	William Kelly Rollins 2029 404-727-6461 william.kelly@emory.edu	We study highly conserved and presumably ancient mechanisms that operate in the germ line to protect and maintain the integrity of the genome across generations. We have identified several of these mechanisms and study them using the nematode C. elegans as a model system. View Profile.
	Steven L'Hernault, Chairman Rollins 2001C 404-727-4234 bioslh@emory.edu	We study how the vesicular trafficking pathway in developing sperm alters the cell surface to allow it to interact with the egg surface. Our studies are done in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans using genetic, molecular and biochemical techniques. View Profile.
	Bruce Levin Rollins 1109 404-727-2826 blevin@emory.edu	We do theoretical and empirical studies of the population biology and evolution of bacteria and their accessory genetic elements and the population dynamics, evolution, and control of infectious disease. View Profile.
	John Lucchesi, Emeritus Rollins 1011 404-291-9924 jclucch@emory.edu	Dr. Lucchesi retired in 2015. Chromatin is the complex of DNA and protein that makes up chromosomes. We study the chemical and structural changes that occur in chromatin in order to initiate and maintain gene expression. View Profile.
	David Lynn Emerson Hall E409 404-727-9348 dlynn2@emory.edu	My research interests include chemical biology, self-assembly, and signal transduction in cellular development and pathogenesis, conformation and molecular evolution, nanostructural synthesis and self-assembly, molecular skeletons for storing and reading information, and the origins of life. View Profile.
	Levi Morran Rollins 1029 404-727-7092 levi.morran@emory.edu	We study sex and coevolution. We want to know why sex is so common in nature and how interactions between species alter the course of evolution. View Profile.
	Leslie Real, Emeritus Rollins 1001A 404-727-4099 lreal@emory.edu	Interaction of genetic structure of populations and the ecological dynamics of infectious diseases; molecular evolution in rabies viruses. View Profile.
	Iain Shepherd Rollins 1131 404-727-2632 iain.shepherd@emory.edu	My lab studies the genetic basis of the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) - the nervous system of the intestine. We use genetic, cell biological, and embryological experimental techniques in our studies. These studies are clinically important. Hirschsprung's disease is a pediatric ENS condition that affects 1 in 5000 live births, the cause of which is only partly understood. View Profile.
	Melody Siegler, Emerita msiegle@emory.edu	Our research concerns the developmental events that give rise to the mature nervous system, specifically the interplay of lineage and extrinsic influences in the formation of neural circuits. View Profile.
	Rachelle Spell Rollins 2015 404-727-5828 rachelle.spell@emory.edu	I help students learn; I help teachers teach. I strive to both help my students develop as scientists and support faculty develop as educators. My work on faculty and curriculum development has launched a research emphasis on how institutional factors can affect teaching practices. View Profile.
	Jitendra Thakur jitendra.thakur@emory.edu	We are interested in following two specific research areas under the broad umbrella of the Epigenetics & Chromatin field: Genetics and epigenetics of centromeres and Role of RNA in chromatin organization. View Profile.
	Barry Yedvobnick, Emeritus barry.yedvobnick@emory.edu	Notch is a major signaling pathway within metazoa that has been implicated in an array of developmental and disease mechanisms. Using genetic and molecular methods, our lab has been screening for novel loci that contribute to Notch signaling. View Profile.
	Shozo Yokoyama, Emeritus shozo.yokoyama@emory.edu	We study the molecular genetics and adaptive evolution of color and dim-light vision in various vertebrate species. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these adaptive events, we use methods of molecular/cell biology, protein modeling, quantum chemistry, psychophysics, and molecular evolution. View Profile.

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