Research Areas

Research in Cell and Molecular Biology affords students access to a rich diversity of research comprising major areas of modern biology. These broadly defined research areas are described below, and lists of the associated faculty highlight the various strengths and interconnections within and between these areas of research. In addition, more specific information is provided by links to the individual faculty web pages.

Biophysical and Structural Biology

The primary research focus of this group is the elucidation of the three-dimensional structures, functional properties, and assemblages of biological macromolecules by means of biophysical techniques (e.g., X-ray crystallography, cryoelectron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron diffraction, computational modeling, EPR and NMR spectroscopy). This research effort is part of the interdepartmental Structural Biology Program, which is based in the Institute of Molecular Biophysics. Additional research areas of faculty in this group include NMR imaging and cellular diffusion measurements, membrane biophysics, and molecular/cell biology. Students have access to a variety of superb research facilities housed in the Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biological Science, and nearby National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The Department of Biological Science faculty listed in this group may also be members of a separately funded Molecular Biophysics Program, an interdepartmental graduate training program. (* indicates faculty not taking new students)

• P. Bryant Chase
  

  Biomechanics of cardiac and skeletal muscle.

• Jonathan H. Dennis
  

  Accessibility and organization of chromatin in the human nucleus.

• Debra A. Fadool
  

  Olfactory signal transduction; ion channel structure-function; neuromodulation.

• Ashwanth Francis
  

  Fluorescence and structural imaging of single virus infection in living cell.

• Steven Lenhert
  

  Lipid nanotechnology; drug delivery; biosensors

• M. Elizabeth Stroupe
  

  Cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography of protein complexes involved in eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis and prokaryotic sulfur metabolism.

• Kenneth A. Taylor
  

  Macromolecular structure determination by 3-D electron microscopy; structure of muscle and muscle proteins.

• Qian Yin
  

  Biochemist and structural biologist dedicate to delineated individual proteins functions and their interactions in innate immunity, inflammation, pathogen-host interaction, and autophagy.

• Fanxiu Zhu
  

  Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); viral evasion of the host innate immune responses; viral modulation of the host kinase signaling pathways; role and assembly of KSHV tegument proteins.

Cell Structure, Function, and Motility

Research groups in this area focus their research efforts on understanding the molecular morphology and dynamics of nuclei, flagella, muscle, and nonmuscle cell-motility systems. These groups use a variety of experimental approaches (e.g., sophisticated light, electron, and atomic force microscopy, molecular biology, genetics, protein biochemistry, NMR) to gain greater understanding of the structural components, molecular organization, assembly, and movement of dynamic systems in vertebrate and invertebrate animal cells, plant cells, and unicellular algae. Graduate students in this area benefit from use, for their research projects, of state-of-the-art equipment in the departmental Biological Science Imaging Resource (BSIR), Molecular Cloning Facility, and Hybridoma Facility and at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. (* indicates faculty not taking new students)

• Hank W. Bass
  

  Chromatin structure and nuclear architecture, meiosis, chromatin profiling, nuclear envelope, telomeres, G4-DNA, and 3D cytology of plant genomes.

• P. Bryant Chase
  

  Biomechanics of cardiac and skeletal muscle.

• Jonathan H. Dennis
  

  Accessibility and organization of chromatin in the human nucleus.

• Ashwanth Francis
  

  Sub-nuclear compartmentalization of virus replication centers; nuclear speckles: active-transcription centers.

• James Jordan
  

  Epigenetic regulation of metabolism in health and disease.

• Guangxia Miao
  

  My lab focuses on complex cell behavior, specifically the movements of cells from one place to another. We use fruit fly as the model system.

• M. Elizabeth Stroupe
  

  Cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography of protein complexes involved in eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis and prokaryotic sulfur metabolism.

• Kenneth A. Taylor
  

  Macromolecular structure determination by 3-D electron microscopy; structure of muscle and muscle proteins.

• David Thoms
  

  Host-microbe interactions; the role of innate immunity in shaping the microbiome; bacterial virulence factors

• Qian Yin
  

  Biochemist and structural biologist dedicate to delineated individual proteins functions and their interactions in innate immunity, inflammation, pathogen-host interaction, and autophagy.

• Hong-Guo Yu
  

  Molecular biology of the cell nucleus.

• Fanxiu Zhu
  

  Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); viral evasion of the host innate immune responses; viral modulation of the host kinase signaling pathways; role and assembly of KSHV tegument proteins.

Cellular and Organismal Physiology

Cellular and organismal physiology focuses on the normal vital processes of organisms. Research is directed at identifying biochemical, biophysical, molecular, genetic, and behavioral correlates of normal functioning at the subcellular, cellular, or whole-organism level. Examples of research by this group include the study of muscle and nonmuscle motility systems (e.g., muscle energetics, structure/function of cytoskeletal proteins), cellular enzymatic processes (e.g., cellular energy metabolism, selective enzymatic oxidation of fatty acids), membrane protein trafficking, and stomatal-aperture regulation. Clarification of such processes provides insight into both normal physiology and host mechanisms that protect against pathological states. Other research is directed at clarifying means by which cells communicate by means of ion channels, signal transduction, synaptic transmission, and the regulation of hormone secretion. In addition, some laboratories investigate aspects of sensory systems, including neural encoding and integration of chemoreception, synaptic transmission in the olfactory bulb, and molecular, genetic, and behavioral correlates of taste aversion. (* indicates faculty not taking new students)

• P. Bryant Chase
  

  Biomechanics of cardiac and skeletal muscle.

• Debra A. Fadool
  

  Olfactory signal transduction; ion channel structure-function; neuromodulation.

• Thomas A. Houpt
  

  Molecular neurobiology of learning and memory in food intake; conditioned taste aversion.

• James Jordan
  

  Epigenetic regulation of metabolism in health and disease.

• Douglas Storace
  

  Sensory processing, function and organization of neural circuits, imaging brain activity.

• Amy Webster
  

  Using C. elegans as a model, we are interested in how differences in gene expression and chromatin can both cause and predict phenotypic differences across individuals, how these differences interact with genetic and environmental variation, and how heritable epigenetic effects may shape populations on short and long timescales.

Developmental Biology and Gene Expression

This group's research focuses on the molecular bases of gene function and processes that control development. Its faculty use classical, modern, and unique model systems to analyze the mechanistic bases of gene expression and regulation, to establish relationships between the structure and function of gene products, and to investigate how organisms integrate multiple signals during development. Well-staffed core facilities in the Department of Biological Science, close work with associated departments/programs (e.g., the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Institute of Molecular Biophysics, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory), and new initiatives in computational biology and medical sciences afford access to state-of-the-art research technologies. In addition to emphasizing day-to-day interactions between students and faculty advisors, joint lab meetings and topical seminar series allow faculty and students to present and critique the latest research. The group's laboratories provide excellent breadth and balance in graduate and postgraduate training. (* indicates faculty not taking new students)

• Hank W. Bass
  

  Chromatin structure and nuclear architecture, meiosis, chromatin profiling, nuclear envelope, telomeres, G4-DNA, and 3D cytology of plant genomes.

• Hongchang Cui
  

  Cell fate specification and reprogramming in plants; evolutionary and developmental biology; plant-environment interaction; genomics and epigenomics; proteomics; molecular genetics.

• Jonathan H. Dennis
  

  Accessibility and organization of chromatin in the human nucleus.

• James M. Fadool
  

  Zebrafish Genetics; Photoreceptor development and degeneration; Regeneration.

• Jian Feng
  

  Epigenetic regulation of neuropsychiatric disorders.

• Kathryn M. Jones
  

  Plant/rhizobial interactions; bacterial and plant genetics and cell biology; nitrogen fixation.

• James Jordan
  

  Epigenetic regulation of metabolism in health and disease.

• Karen M. McGinnis
  

  Epigenetic gene regulation in maize.

• Guangxia Miao
  

  My lab focuses on complex cell behavior, specifically the movements of cells from one place to another. We use fruit fly as the model system.

• Hengli Tang
  

  Virus-host cell interactions; Cell biology of HCV replication; Cellular co-factors for HIV and HCV infection.

• Amy Webster
  

  Using C. elegans as a model, we are interested in how differences in gene expression and chromatin can both cause and predict phenotypic differences across individuals, how these differences interact with genetic and environmental variation, and how heritable epigenetic effects may shape populations on short and long timescales.

• Hong-Guo Yu
  

  Molecular and cell biology of the nucleus.

• Fanxiu Zhu
  

  Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); viral evasion of the host innate immune responses; viral modulation of the host kinase signaling pathways; role and assembly of KSHV tegument proteins.

Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology

The Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology group has widely ranging research interests. Microbiology studies are focuses on rhizobial/plant symbiotic interactions. Specifically, how do plants respond to rhizobial determinants to facilitate invasion by the rhizobium? Such studies can reveal fundamental insights into how bacteria invade and survive within eukaryotic cells, and modulate regulatory and signaling pathways to induce host cell morphological changes and differentiation. Several viruses are currently under investigation. Studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication use cell culture models to show that this human pathogen has developed strategies to hijack resources from the host for its own reproduction. Interventions of these strategies may result in novel therapies that help circumvent drug resistance. Studies on Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), a human DNA tumor virus associated with several human malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma, are focused on the viral proteins that are localized in the tegument layer, a space between capsid and envelope in the virus particle. This research explores mechanisms by which the virus evades innate immune response and investigates how viral proteins are selectively assembled into the tegument. Research on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is focused on the structural characterization of the virus, especially the envelope (Env) spike residing to the viral surface. These spikes foster viral fusion with target T-helpers cells and macrophages and are the targets for neutralizing antibodies. Several molecular forms of Env are being considered as vaccine candidates. Cryoelectron tomography microscopy is used to generate 3-D images of viruses and its components and can also be used to visualize antibodies attached to the Env spikes. Several diverse areas of immunology are being explored including immune resistance to the viruses listed above, the allergic response to foods, and the structure and immunochemistry of antibodies. (* indicates faculty not taking new students)

• Jonathan H. Dennis
  

  Accessibility and organization of chromatin in the human nucleus.

• Ashwanth Francis
  

  HIV-1 cell-biology: intra-cellular trafficking and integration targeting.

• Kathryn M. Jones
  

  Plant/rhizobial interactions; bacterial and plant genetics and cell biology; nitrogen fixation.

• M. Elizabeth Stroupe
  

  Cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography of protein complexes involved in prokaryotic sulfur metabolism and bacteriophages of soil microbes.

• Hengli Tang
  

  Virus-host cell interactions; Cell biology of HCV replication; Cellular co-factors for HIV and HCV infection.

• Kenneth A. Taylor
  

  Macromolecular structure determination by 3-D electron microscopy; structure of muscle and muscle proteins.

• Qian Yin
  

  Biochemist and structural biologist dedicated to delineate individual proteins functions and their interactions in innate immunity, inflammation, pathogen-host interaction, and autophagy.

• Fanxiu Zhu
  

  Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); viral evasion of the host innate immune responses; viral modulation of the host kinase signaling pathways; role and assembly of KSHV tegument proteins.

Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Genomics

This group's research focuses on how genetic information is used and regulated at the molecular, cellular, and in some cases, whole-animal level. Its faculty use forward and reverse genetics to define gene function in organisms ranging from microbes to mammals. Experimental approaches include classical genetic screens, molecular analyses of gene structure and function, functional genomics, and microscopy. Interlaboratory activities (e.g., joint lab meetings, departmental seminars, topical seminar series) promote faculty and student interactions while enhancing close working relations with associated departments and programs (e.g., the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Structural Biology Program, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and the Department of Biomedical Sciences). Students gain direct access, for their research, to state-of-the-art technologies provided by the Department of Biological Science core facilities. The group also emphasizes high-quality, nationally competitive research and diversity of laboratories and research styles while providing balance and breadth in graduate and postdoctoral training.

• Hank W. Bass
  

  Chromatin structure and nuclear architecture, meiosis, chromatin profiling, nuclear envelope, telomeres, G4-DNA, and 3D cytology of plant genomes.

• Hongchang Cui
  

  Cell fate specification and reprogramming in plants; evolutionary and developmental biology; plant-environment interaction; genomics and epigenomics; proteomics; molecular genetics.

• Jonathan H. Dennis
  

  Accessibility and organization of chromatin in the human nucleus.

• Debra A. Fadool
  

  Olfactory signal transduction; ion channel structure-function; neuromodulation.

• James M. Fadool
  

  Developmental Genetics and Gene Expression

• Jian Feng
  

  Epigenetic regulation of neuropsychiatric disorders.

• Kimberly A. Hughes
  

  Why are organisms are so genetically diverse? This is the broad question on which my lab focuses. In particular, we want to understand how variation is maintained in traits that are under strong natural selection: life history traits, sexually selected traits, and other traits closely tied to fitness. We use a variety of approaches to investigate these issues ranging from field experiments to genomic analyses.

• Kathryn M. Jones
  

  Plant/rhizobial interactions; bacterial and plant genetics and cell biology; nitrogen fixation.

• James Jordan
  

  Epigenetic regulation of metabolism in health and disease.

• Lisa C. Lyons
  

  Molecular and cellular mechanisms through which sleep and the circadian clock modulate neural plasticity and memory formation

• Karen M. McGinnis
  

  Epigenetic gene regulation in maize.

• Guangxia Miao
  

  My lab focuses on complex cell behavior, specifically the movements of cells from one place to another. We use fruit fly as the model system.

• Hengli Tang
  

  Virus-host cell interactions; Cell biology of HCV replication; Cellular co-factors for HIV and HCV infection.

• Amy Webster
  

  Using C. elegans as a model, we are interested in how differences in gene expression and chromatin can both cause and predict phenotypic differences across individuals, how these differences interact with genetic and environmental variation, and how heritable epigenetic effects may shape populations on short and long timescales.

• Hong-Guo Yu
  

  Molecular biology of cell aging.

• Fanxiu Zhu
  

  Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); cell and molecular biology of human DNA tumor virus; viral strategies of immune evasion.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience, the study of brain and nervous-system function, encompasses many of the unanswered questions about the nature of humans and other species. The FSU neuroscience group has traditional strengths in sensory processes. The group is currently supplemented by research and instruction in the biophysics and electrophysiology of excitable cells, neurotransmitter and neurohormone action, neural development and plasticity, circadian rhythms, feeding and regulatory processes, and the genetic and molecular bases of neurobiology and behavior. The Department of Biological Science faculty listed in the neuroscience group are also members of a separately funded interdepartmental research and graduate training Program in Neuroscience. (* indicates faculty not taking new students)

• Debra A. Fadool
  

  Olfactory signal transduction; ion channel structure-function; neuromodulation.

• James M. Fadool
  

  Visual System Development, photoreceptor patterning, degeneration.

• Jian Feng
  

  Epigenetic regulation of neuropsychiatric disorders.

• Thomas A. Houpt
  

  Molecular neurobiology of learning and memory in food intake; conditioned taste aversion.

• Kimberly A. Hughes
  

  Evolutionary, ecological and behavioral genomics

• Lisa C. Lyons
  

  Signaling and circadian modulation regulating associative memory

• Douglas Storace
  

  Sensory processing, function and organization of neural circuits, imaging brain activity.

• Roberto Vincis
  

  The research in the lab aims to investigate the basis of our ability to decide and plan our eating behaviors and dietary choices. The motivation to eat depends greatly on the taste of food and the reward experienced while eating. How are we able to extract taste information from what we eat? How do we use taste information to decide what to eat? Specifically, how does the brain allow this to happen? What are the specific regions and connections of the brain that are fundamental to this process? By understanding these points, we will gather critical knowledge on how the brain controls food consumption and feeding behaviors, both of which are relevant for understanding eating disorders

Plant Biology

Research opportunities in plant biology are diverse but focus on basic plant mechanisms. Research related to cell and molecular biology includes the study of water oxidation, stomatal-aperture regulation, signal transduction and gene expression, the molecular genetics of plant meiotic chromosomes, and hormonal regulation of plant growth and development. Special facilities (e.g., herbarium, greenhouse facilities, controlled-environment plant-growth facility, irrigated field) supplement departmental research facilities by enhancing research capabilities for plant biologists at FSU. Related plant research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology includes the study of competition in plant population evolution, the genetics of environmental adaptation, and taxonomy and systematics of north Florida's rare and endangered plants. (* indicates faculty not taking new students)

• Hank W. Bass
  

  Chromatin structure and nuclear architecture, meiosis, chromatin profiling, nuclear envelope, telomeres, G4-DNA, and 3D cytology of plant genomes.

• Hongchang Cui
  

  Cell fate specification and reprogramming in plants; evolutionary and developmental biology; plant-environment interaction; genomics and epigenomics; proteomics; molecular genetics.

• Jonathan H. Dennis
  

  The biology of chromatin involved in the innate immune response.

• Kathryn M. Jones
  

  Plant/rhizobial interactions; bacterial and plant genetics and cell biology; nitrogen fixation.

• Steven Lenhert
  

  Biological membranes; cell-substrate interactions; bionanotechnology.

• Austin R. Mast
  

  Plant systematics, evolution, ecology, and biogeography; biodiversity informatics; citizen science.

• Karen M. McGinnis
  

  Molecular genetics; genomics; epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plants.

• David Thoms
  

  Plant roots are analogous to the animal gut as both are important sites of nutrient acquisition and microbial activity. We use the plant model system, Arabidopsis thaliana, to study the role of innate immunity in establishing a healthy root microbiome. We use a combination of NextGen sequencing, microscopy, and genetics to study the mechanisms required for distinguishing between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in a manner that modulates bacterial growth.