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                    Laboratory of Biochemistry & Genetics
    Laboratory of Biochemistry & Genetics
        
            Photo of Orna Cohen-Fix.Orna Cohen-Fix, Ph.D.
        Chief
            orna.cohen-fix2@nih.gov
    Headshot of Kevin F. O'Connell, Ph.D.Kevin F. O'Connell, Ph.D.
        Deputy Chief
            kevino@mail.nih.gov

        Using genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and physical chemistry to study transcription, translation, diseases of protein aggregation, basic problems in development and growth, modeling of rare human diseases, nuclear structure and function and molecular crowding in model organisms.
                About the Lab
        
Lab Menu

    Lab Sections
            About the Lab
Lab Sections & Chiefs
    Cell Cycle Regulation and Nuclear Structure Section
                    Orna Cohen-Fix, Ph.D.
                Developmental Genomics Section
                    Brian Oliver, Ph.D.
                Gene Expression and Regulation Section
                    Deborah M. Hinton, Ph.D.
                Genetics of Early Development
                    Andy Golden, Ph.D.
                Genetics of Organelle Biogenesis Section
                    Kevin F. O'Connell, Ph.D.
                Genetics of Simple Eukaryotes Section
                    Reed B. Wickner, M.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator
                Nuclear Organization and Gene Expression Section
                    Elissa Lei, Ph.D.
                Physical Biochemistry Section
                    Allen P. Minton, Ph.D.
                Protein Chaperones and Amyloid Section
                    Daniel C. Masison, Ph.D.
                Ribonucleoprotein Assembly Section
                    Margaret L. Rodgers, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
                Section on mRNA Regulation and Translation
                    Nicholas R. Guydosh, Ph.D.
Cell Cycle Regulation and Nuclear Structure Section
        Orna Cohen-Fix, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    The Cell Cycle Regulation and Nuclear Structure Section focuses on cell cycle regulation and nuclear architecture. Researchers primarily conduct cell cycle studies in budding yeast. This experimental system allows scientists to combine genetic, biochemical, cytological, and molecular biology methodologies easily and effectively.
        Visit Section Staff ListDevelopmental Genomics Section
        Brian Oliver, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    The Developmental Genomics Section strives to understand how complex genotypes and environmental interactions result in disease. Researchers in the section use the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system.  The section’s long-term goal is to develop predictive models of gene function based on gene network analysis in fruit flies.  In this work, it is important to identify all the genes, mRNA isoforms, and regulatory elements encoded in the genome.  It is also important to determine genetic function across the genome and to develop connectivity maps.  Our approach relies on a combination of high-throughput techniques to profile biological processes—such as expression, promoter occupancy, and chromatin status—in conjunction with computational analysis of genomic sequence.  The section’s work also addresses a number of interesting questions highly amenable to genome-wide analysis.  For example, we are studying lipid storage and the transcriptional response to altered gene copy number.
        Visit Section PageGene Expression and Regulation Section
        Deborah M. Hinton, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    The Gene Expression and Regulation Section investigates mechanisms of gene regulation using simple model systems based on viruses that infect bacteria (phage) and pathogenic bacteria. Understanding these mechanisms at a molecular level can reveal how protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions affect basic cellular processes and can lead to new anti-bacterial strategies.
    
        Visit Section PageGenetics of Early Development
        Andy Golden, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    We are currently modeling a number of rare human genetic diseases in *C. elegans*. Our goal is to identify the regulators and interactors of conserved genes in *C. elegans*, that when mutated, can cause human disease. Understanding the genes that interact with a disease gene will shed light on the genetic pathway in which the disease gene acts. By activating or inhibiting the activity of interacting genes, it may be possible to alleviate symptoms of the disease. Thus, genetic screens to identify interacting genes may lead to novel therapeutic targets.
    
        Visit Section PageGenetics of Organelle Biogenesis Section
        Kevin F. O'Connell, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    The Genetics of Organelle Biogenesis Section studies the biogenesis and function of centrioles, non-membrane bound organelles that play key roles in cell division, motility, and signaling. A growing number of diseases including cancer, autosomal recessive primary microcephaly, and polycystic kidney disease, have been linked to defects in centriole number and/or function. Thus, our work should lead to a better understanding of the normal regulatory mechanisms governing centrioles and how these processes go awry in disease.
    
        Visit Section PageGenetics of Simple Eukaryotes Section
        Reed B. Wickner, M.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator,
Section Chief
    The Genetics of Simple Eukaryote Section uses *S. cerevisiae* to study infectious diseases, particularly prions (infectious proteins). By examining the structure of the amyloids underlying most yeast prions, and the genetics of prion propagation and generation we have obtained an understanding of how proteins can be the basis of genetic information propagation, discovered several means of curing prions, and obtained information that will likely be useful in studies of human amyloidoses.
    
        Visit Section Staff ListNuclear Organization and Gene Expression Section
        Elissa Lei, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    The Lei laboratory seeks to understand how higher-order chromatin structure influences gene expression and cellular function. Our main goal is to elucidate mechanisms and regulation of chromatin insulators, which are DNA-protein complexes situated throughout the genome that define distinct transcriptional domains. Areas of interest include tissue-specific regulation and the contribution of RNA and RNA-related mechanisms to chromatin organization. Approaches used in the laboratory include genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and computational analysis of genome-wide datasets. Our work promotes understanding of the intricately orchestrated transcriptional programs needed for proper development and differentiation.
        Visit Section PagePhysical Biochemistry Section
        Allen P. Minton, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    The Section on Physical Biochemistry is engaged in quantitative studies of effect of high concentrations of nominally inert small molecule and macromolecular cosolutes on the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic behavior of selected proteins and nucleic acids. The identification and characterization of such effects is essential for an understanding and quantitative prediction of the functional behavior of proteins and nucleic acids within complex physiological media. These studies are carried out both theoretically and experimentally, often using concepts and experimental tools developed in our laboratory.
    
        Visit Section Staff ListProtein Chaperones and Amyloid Section
        Daniel C. Masison, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    The Protein Chaperones & Amyloid Section identifies and charcterizes cellular factors that influence propagation of the *S. cerevisiae* [PSI+] prion. [PSI+] is thought to be an amyloid form of Sup35, a protein involved in termination of protein synthesis. About two dozen human disorders, which include Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, are associated with accumulation of amyloid forms of proteins. In addition to simply growing, transmissible [PSI+] particles, or prion "seeds", must replicate to be maintained in a growing yeast population. Research in this section provides a better understanding of how protein chaperones (Hsp70, Hsp40, and Hsp104) and TPR co-chaperones function in amyloid propagation. The normal function of this chaperone machine appears to promote amyloid propagation by breaking fibers into more numerous pieces, each of which can continue to propagate the amyloid structure. Section researchers have identified several mutations in these chaperones that variously affect the [PSI+] seeding process—findings that will improve understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms.
    
        Visit Section Staff ListRibonucleoprotein Assembly Section
        Margaret L. Rodgers, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator,
Acting Section Chief
    The Ribonucleoprotein Assembly Section investigates the molecular mechanisms guiding the assembly of RNA-protein complexes (RNPs) essential for gene expression. We use a combination of biochemistry, genetics, and biophysical methods, including single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, to examine how RNA folding, processing, modification, and RNA-protein interactions contribute to the assembly of an RNP in a variety of organisms. We focus on studying the mechanism of ribosome assembly during transcription as well as studying the biogenesis of many other RNPs including spliceosomes, microRNA/RNPs, messenger RNPs, and small nucleolar RNPs.
        Visit Section PageSection on mRNA Regulation and Translation
        Nicholas R. Guydosh, Ph.D.,
Section Chief
    Research in this section is aimed at understanding the mechanism of mRNA translation by the ribosome and the functional outcomes of translational regulation. Since translation is a key step in the expression of genes, this work will inform development of therapies for numerous diseases, including cancer and infectious disease. Current investigations are focused on the final stages of translation when the newly-synthesized protein is released by the ribosome and the ribosomal subunits are recycled for reuse.
    
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        Last Reviewed January 2024 Contact Us
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