Education
- ScD, 1966, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- BS, 1962, Food Science, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Research Summary
The Sinskey Lab leverages an interdisciplinary approach to metabolic engineering — focusing on the fundamental physiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics of important organisms to determine key factors that regulate the synthesis of different biomolecules. The lab supports a broad range of interests, examining amino acid metabolism in Corynebacterium glutamicum, bioremediation and bioconversion processes in Rhodococcus, and biopolymer synthesis in Gram-negative bacteria. As for eukaryotic systems, we study both lipid biosynthesis and embryogensis in oil palm, as well as the accumulation of secondary metabolites in tropical plants.
Education
- PhD, 2008, University of Michigan; MD, 2008, University of Michigan Medical School
- BS, 1999, Biochemistry and Physics, University of Michigan
Research Summary
The adult intestine is maintained by stem cells that require a cellular neighborhood, or niche, consisting in part of Paneth cells. Our laboratory will investigate the molecular mechanisms of how intestinal stem cells and their Paneth cell niche respond to diverse diets to coordinate intestinal regeneration with organismal physiology and its impact on the formation and growth of intestinal cancers. By better understanding how intestinal stem cells adapt to diverse diets, we hope to identify and develop new strategies that prevent and reduce the growth of cancers involving the intestinal tract that includes the small intestine, colon, and rectum.
Awards
- AAAS Martin and Rose Wachtel Cancer Research Award, 2018
- Pew-Stewart Trust Scholar, 2016-2020
- Sidney Kimmel Scholar, 2016-2020
- V Foundation Scholar, 2014-2017
- Harold M. Weintraub Award, 2007
Education
- PhD, 1991, California Institute of Technology
- BS, 1983, Electrical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Research Summary
Our laboratory studies the neural processes within the hippocampus and neocortex that enable memories to form and persist over time. We use a technique that allows us to simultaneously record the activity of hundreds of individual neurons across multiple brain regions in freely behaving animals. When combined with genetic, pharmacological and behavioral manipulations, these recordings allow us to gain a mechanistic understanding of how animals learn and remember.
Awards
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2012
Education
- PhD, 1974, University of Illinois
- BS, 1970, Chemistry, Carleton University
Research Summary
Our research is concentrated in two major areas. First, we aim to understand how the proteins involved in DNA repair, mutagenesis and other cellular responses to DNA damage are regulated. Some of our discoveries have the potential to improve chemotherapy. Second, we probe how nitrogen-fixing nodules develop on legumes, and the relationship between rhizobial functions required for nodule invasion/infection and mammalian pathogenesis.
Awards
- Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental health Research (RIVER), R35 Outstanding Investigator Award, 2017
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2013
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Professor, 2010
- University of Guelph, Doctor of Science, honoris causa, 2010
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow, 2008
- Environmental Mutagen Society, EMS Award, 2006
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2004
- American Cancer Society, Research Professor, 2002
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Professor, 2002
- Charles Ross Scholar, 2000-2003
- American Academy of Microbiology, Fellow, 1994
- Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow, 1992-2002
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Guggenheim Fellowship, 1984
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MacVicar Faulty Fellow, 1984
- Rita Allen Foundation, Career Development Award, 1978
Education
- PhD, 1974, Harvard University
- BS, 1968, Mathematics and Economics, MIT
Research Summary
Our lab examines how genes control animal development and behavior. We use the experimentally tractable nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to identify and analyze molecular and cellular pathways involved in these important areas of biology. Ultimately, we hope to clarify these fundamental biological mechanisms and provide further insight into human disease.
Awards
- U.S. National Academy of Inventors, Member, 2015
- American Association for Cancer Research Academy, Fellow, 2013
- Royal Society of London, Foreign Member, 2009
- Genetics Society (U.K.), Mendel Medal, 2007
- Eli Lilly Lecturer Award, 2007
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, James R Killian Jr Faculty Achievement Award, 2006
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 2003
- American Cancer Society, Medal of Honor, 2002
- The Nobel Foundation, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2002
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Award for Distinguished Achievement in Neuroscience, 2001
- March of Dimes, Developmental Biology, 2000
- Gairdner Foundation, Gairdner Foundation International Award, 1999
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 1991
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 1989
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow, 1989
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 1988
Education
- PhD, 2002, MIT
- SB, 1996, Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin
Research Summary
We investigate how stem cells are regulated to regenerate missing tissues. We study the cellular events involved in this process and the attendant roles for regulatory genes that control regeneration steps. We utilize an array of methodologies, including high-throughput sequencing, RNA interference (RNAi) screening, and numerous assays and tools for phenotypic analysis to characterize regeneration regulatory genes.
Awards
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 2013
Education
- PhD, 1979, Harvard University
- BA, 1972, Biophysics, Amherst College
Research Summary
Before closing his lab, Bob Sauer studied the relationship between protein structure, function, sequence and folding. He focused on the molecular machines that degrade or remodel proteins, targeting proteins for these ATP-dependent reactions. His experimental tools included biochemistry and single-molecule biophysics, structural biology, protein design and engineering, and molecular genetics.
Awards
- Protein Society, Stein and Moore Award, 2013
- Protein Society, Hans Neurath Award, 2007
- Protein Society, Amgen Award, 2001
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 1996
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 1993
Education
- MD, 1984, Harvard Medical School
- BS, 1978, Chemistry, Swarthmore College
Research Summary
We seek to understand the genetic differences between males and females — both within and beyond the reproductive tract. We study the medical ramifications of these differences in a broad context, through comparative biological, evolutionary, developmental and clinically focused analyses. Our three main veins of research relate to sex differences in health and disease, sex chromosome genomics, and germ cell origins and development.
Awards
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2012
- March of Dimes, Developmental Biology, 2011
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 2008
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2005
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 1990
- MacArthur Foundation, MacArthur Fellowship, 1986
Education
- PhD, 1983, MIT
- BSc, 1979, Medicinal Chemistry, University College London
Research Summary
We study diverse aspects of protein structure and function and employ multidisciplinary approaches to address fundamental problems at the interface of chemistry and biology. We are fascinated by the amazing complexity and myriad functions of glycoconjugates in human health and disease. Still more enthralling are the intricate membrane-associated pathways that lead to the cellular biogenesis of these important macromolecules. Our group applies approaches and technologies from a wide range of synergistic fields including chemical biology (for inhibitor and probe development), biochemistry and biophysics (for analyses within and beyond native and model membranes), and cellular, molecular and microbiology to unravel these pathways. Ultimately we seek to decipher the molecular logic of glycoconjugate biosynthesis and to identify processes to target in the study of infectious disease.
Awards
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2010
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) 2006
- American Chemical Society – Breslow Award for Achievement in Biomimetic Chemistry 2006
- Protein Society – Kaiser Award, 2006
- Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow, 2003-2013
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2001
Education
- PhD, 1979, Yale University
- BS, 1975, Biological Sciences, Indiana University
Research Summary
We use experimental and computational technologies to determine how signaling pathways, transcription factors, chromatin regulators and small RNAs regulate gene expression in healthy and diseased cells. Our interests range from the basic molecular mechanisms behind gene control to drug development for cancer and other diseases caused by gene misregulation.
Awards
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 2019
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2012
