Our key questions are:
- How do transcription factors (proteins that control gene expression) regulate nitrogen utilization in fungi?
- How is the information encoded by nutrient metabolism genes used differentially, depending on nutrient quality and availability, to coordinate nutrient acquisition?
- What are the signaling mechanisms underlying metabolic gene regulation?
We use the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, an important genetic model for both harmful and beneficial molds, to study gene regulation.
Our research focuses on important transcription factors involved in nitrogen regulation in Aspergillus nidulans, including AreA, TamA, NmrA, and LeuB.
We study the molecular mechanisms underlying the following processes:
- Regulation of nitrogen metabolic gene expression and nitrogen utilization.
- Regulation of transcription factor activity.
- Control of import and export of transcription factors into the cell nucleus.
- DNA binding and DNA binding-independent functions of transcription factors.
- Leucine biosynthesis.
Specialization:
- Molecular genetics, genomics and cell biology of nitrogen utilization and metabolic gene regulation in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans.
My research focuses on understanding regulation, in response to nutrient availability, of the founding member of the GATA transcription factor family.
Research: Studies how transcription factors—regulators of cell growth involved in many cancers—are themselves regulated
