BACKGROUND
B.A., University of Virginia, 1974
Ph.D., Medical College of Virginia, 1978
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
I am of the opinion that ontogeny creates phylogeny and I am therefore dedicated to understanding the molecular events that have shaped a genetic system that is believed to control ontogeny. Research in my lab focuses on understanding the molecular evolution of the Hox gene clusters, which are a network of evolutionarily-related developmental regulatory genes responsible for establishing cellular identity during embryogenesis. Initially described in Drosophila and now known to be common to metazoans in general, the Hox gene clusters appear to have evolved through combined intra- and inter-chromosomal duplication events. These duplication events have generated a unique assemblage of related genes, which in mammals are organized into four clusters located on separate chromosomes. This idiosyncratic organization is of significant interest to our lab. We are interested in determining, by genomic mapping and DNA sequence analysis, the evolutionary differences in the genetic organization of the Hox gene clusters among vertebrate species. Based on our results, we seek to establish the evolutionary events that have shaped the Hox gene clusters during vertebrate evolution and to provide insight into the effect this has had on the evolution of vertebrate development.
To date our laboratory, in collaboration with Jean-Luc Scemama a faculty colleague in the department, has completed the molecular genetic characterization of over one half of the Hox genes that comprise the Hox gene clusters from Morone saxatilis , a marine fish that is representative of the most evolutionarily successful vertebrate order. We have discovered that the Hox gene complement of this fish is quite different from the Hox gene complement of mammals, but is remarkably similar to those of other fish species. Our results suggest that the divergence of the Hox gene clusters
of the teleost lineages from those of mammals may provide important clues to the developmental and morphological differences that separate these major vertebrate taxonomic groups.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Elizabeth A. Snell, Jean-Luc Scemama, and Edmund J. Stellwag. Genomic Organization of the Hox a4-Hox a10 Region from Morone saxatilis: Implications for Hox Gene Evolution among Vertebrates. Journal of Experimental Zoology, in press.
Anthony M. Pavell and Edmund J. Stellwag. 1995. Survey of Hox-like Genes in the Teleost Morone saxatilis: Implications for Evolution of the Hox Gene Family. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology 3: 149-157.
COURSES TAUGHT
Molecular Genetics, Biotechniques
DNA Sequencing and Analysis
Introduction to Basic Lab Methods in Biotechnology
Current Topics in Molecular Biology MY WEB PAGE
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Sigma Xi
Society for Developmental Biology
TEACHING EFFORTS
My teaching efforts are primarily directed toward coursework in our biotechnology program. I routinely teach three courses in our biotechnology program, including Molecular Genetics, Biotechniques (an advanced lab-based course in recombinant DNA technology), and DNA Sequencing and Analysis (offered under Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology). In addition to these
courses I teach Introduction to Basic Lab Methods in Biotechnology, and Current Topics in Molecular Biology.
My teaching is directed toward providing students with a sound understanding of the fundamentals of molecular genetics with particular emphasis on quantitative skills. I believe a firm grounding in the basics forms the basis for career success.
HONORS
Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence 1995
Finalist for Robert and Lina Mays and Roddy Jones Alumni Teaching Excellence Award - 1994 and 1996
WHAT IS NEW
My Graduate Students (present and alumni):
Alumni
E. Sturgis Payne, 1990: Research Specialist, Department of Neurology Duke University.
Tonya G. Smith, 1991: M.D., Family Practice Physician, Farmville, NC.
William D. Proctor, 1994: Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, ECU.
Robert M. Steffens, 1994: M.D., Emergency Medicine, Columbia S.C.
Anthony M. Pavell, 1994: Quality Assurance Manager, Bayer Corp, Clayton, NC.
Keith D. Coon, 1996:Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Zoology, Arizona State University.
Tonya A. Mitchell, 1996: High School Science Instructor, Durham , NC.
Thomas Giesler, 1997: Research Specialist, Rush Memorial Hosp., Chicago, Illinois.
Julie VanVuren, 1998: Research Analyst, Children’s Hosp., Washington, DC.
Elizabeth A. Snel, 1998: D.Phil. Candidate, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.
Scott W. Avery, 1998: Research Scientist, The Institute for Genome Research
(TIGR), Rockville, Md.
Present students
Yasmin Mohamud. M.S. Candidate Topic - Evolution of Hox C5-C7.
Steve Parker, M.S. Candidate Topic - Evolution of Hox B6-B8.
Dennis Swa, M.S. Candidate Topic - Evolution of Hox B5 in the Genus Morone.
Kurt LaButti. B.S. Candidate Topic - Evolution of Hox A6 among Vertebrates |
