Genetic Recombination / DNA repair / Genomics
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
Colorado State University, Fort Collins Campus
The broad goal of our ongoing project is to investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with structural genomic variation. Specifically, the lab studies chromosomal rearrangements that result in gene copy number variation (CNV).
Students will employ the budding yeast model system to examine DNA replication, recombination, and repair pathways that contribute to maintaining the integrity of chromosomes. They are also going to examine potential environmental exposures that may increase
the incidence of chromosomal rearrangements.
Students will assist other lab members with ongoing projects and will perform CNV assays and examine the rearranged karyotypes of the resulting yeast cells, using molecular methods including
microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).