Thematic Research Areas: Quantitative Cell Biology Research

UCHC’s Quantitative Cell Biology research has grown into the area in Cell Analysis and Modeling. Faculty associated with this area explore complex biological systems using the tools of computational cell biology, optical imaging and other quantitative approaches to analyze processes in living cells. Students are provided with rigorous cross training in areas of mathematical, physical, and computational sciences and biology to develop interdisciplinary scientists. Cell Analysis and Modeling training participants come from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Student take courses, attend seminars and work on interdisciplinary research projects to broaden and strengthen their abilities to do quantitative cell biology research.

Paul Campagnola, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology; Ph.D., Yale University, 1992. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Imaging studies of fibrous structural proteins; micro and nanofabrication of biologically relevant materials using multi-photon excitation; photophysics of gold and silver nanoparticles linked to environmentally sensitive dyes; development of novel nonlinear microscopes and methods for imaging cells and cellular membranes.

John H. Carson, Professor of Molecular, Microbial and Structural Biology, B.A., Reed College, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. RNA transport in cells of the nervous system.

Ann Cowan, Associate Professor of Molecular, Microbial and Structural Biology; Deputy Director, Center for Biomedical Imaging Technology; Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1984 Research encompassing several areas of mammalian sperm development.

Greg Huber, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Ph.D., Boston University. Problems in biological physics, with an emphasis on the interplay of statistical mechanics, biomechanics, and fluid dynamics.

Leslie M. Loew, Professor of Cell Biology; Ph.D., Cornell, 1974. Spectroscopic methods for measuring spatial and temporal variations in membrane potential; electric field effects on cell membranes; membrane pores induced by toxins and antibiotics.

Bruce J. Mayer, Associate Professor of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Ph.D., Rockefeller University, Mechanisms of signal transduction.

William A. Mohler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Genetics and Developmental Biology. Developmental cell fusion; C. elegans genetics; multidimensional imaging of developmental and cell biological processes.

Vladimir Rodionov, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology; Ph.D., Moscow State University, 1980. Research in this laboratory is focused on molecular mechanisms of intracellular transport and organization of microtubule cytoskeleton.

Charles Wolgemuth, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology; Ph.D., University of Arizona. My research objectives deal with using physics to understand biological systems. My main interests lie in morphology, propulsion, growth and fluid dynamics.

Ji Yu, Assistant Professor of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin. Optical imaging technology; regulation mechanisms in dendritic RNA translation; cytoskeletal dynamics.