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
- 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
Education
- PhD, 2006, University of California, Berkeley
- BS, 2000, Biology and Genetics, Cornell University
Research Summary
We study how cells and tissues change shape during embryonic development, giving rise to different body parts. We visualize these changes to determine how mechanical forces drive massive tissue movements in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, we also study the regulation of tissue integrity, investigating the processes that regulate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT.
Education
- PhD, 2000, Free University of Berlin
- MS, 1996, Biochemistry, Free University of Berlin
- BS, 1993, Biochemistry, Free University of Berlin
Research Summary
Our primary goal is to understand how signals and molecules are transmitted between the nucleus and cytoplasm across the nuclear envelope. We work to decipher the mechanism and structure of the machinery that executes these cellular processes.
Education
Research Summary
Our goal is to understand the ecology and evolution of ocean microbes and how they influence global biogeochemical cycles. We focus on the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus, which is the smallest and most abundant microbe in ocean ecosystems — sometimes accounting for half the total photosynthetic biomass. We use this model system to study life across all scales — from the genome to the ecosystem.
Awards
- Crafoord Prize, 2019
- Generalitat of Catalonia, Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology, 2013
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow, 2012
- National Medal of Science, 2011
- National Academy of Sciences, Alexander Agassiz Medal, 2010
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2003
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Guggenheim Fellowship, 1997
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 1992
Education
- PhD, 1997, Stanford University
- BS, 1990, Biological Sciences, Stanford University
Research Summary
We aim to understand the code for RNA splicing: how the precise locations of introns and splice sites are identified in primary transcripts and how its specificity changes in different cell types. Toward this end, we are mapping the RNA-binding affinity spectra of dozens of human RNA-binding proteins and integrating this information with in vivo binding and activity data. We are also studying the functions of 3’ untranslated regions, including their roles in mRNA localization and microRNA regulation. The lab uses a combination of computational and experimental approaches to address these questions.
Awards
- Schering-Plough Research Institute Award (ASBMB), 2007
- Overton Prize for Computational Biology (ISCB), 2001
