Courses

DNA is a molecule with enormous potential to answer a wide variety of questions. Over the years, students and I have worked with a diversity of organisms, from viruses to humans, and from living cells to 2000 year-old corn. I typically work with 4-6 students each year to answer a question they would like to address or one of my own. In addition, I’ve had students help develop and optimize molecular protocols to be used in my Molecular Biology (Biol 320) and Human Genetics (Biol 312) courses. My only requirement to work in my research lab is the completion of Genetics (Biol 210). My students perform research in the new molecular suite of the CBB building. It contains close to $300,000 of new state-of-the-art equipment that is used for teaching and research. Below are descriptions of a few on-going projects students and I are investigating.

The abundance of tick-borne pathogens causing Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis have been on the rise in the upper Midwest. In 1999, research students and I started monitoring the spread of these pathogens in Wisconsin. As a result, I’ve had students present their findings as far as Slovenia in Europe. As a side project and with Fall 2019 being our 20th season, students in molecular biology have been collecting deer ticks around Lake Jonas in Schmeeckle Reserve and, using PCR and DNA sequencing strategies, have been identifying the proportion of ticks harboring one, two, or all three of these pathogens. As an alternative to interpreting gels, this academic year I’ve been working with two research students to develop a qPCR assay for identifying and quantifying multiple agents within each tick. Our goal is to identify positive ticks based on computer-generated colored graphical images, while utilizing the real-time PCR machines in our new state-of-the-art molecular facility in the CBB building. Come see me if you have a desire to work for the CDC or go to graduate school in your future and/or have ideas on how to expand the project.

Human genetic testing is recommended by a genetic counselor when a person’s medical condition seems to run in the family. This service is provided by Prevention Genetics, a genotyping company in Marshfield. Many DNA mutations causing genetic disorders have been identified in protein-coding exons and are used to develop genotyping assays by genotyping companies like PG. However, several mutations have been identified by PG in non-coding introns and are then reported as “of unknown significance”, even if the mutation is located at one of the splice sites. A year ago, as the start of a tremendous collaborative effort, my students helped develop, optimize and utilize lab protocols to investigate whether each intron mutation causes variable expression of the respective gene. Efforts included recombinant plasmid amplification in bacteria, plasmid isolation and transfection in mouse cells using our new cell culturing facility, RNA isolation, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing using our new genetic analyzer, and computer-based sequence alignment and analysis. Summer 2018, two students received Haeni scholarships to continue this study, while receiving a stipend and free housing. So far, over a dozen intron splice-site mutations have been found in patients with Hereditary Spherocytosis and Muscular Dystrophy. They presented their findings at the Human Genetics Conference in San Diego and were awarded the Reviewer’s Choice Award for their accomplishments. I currently have four students engaged in this ongoing project. Since three will be graduating in May, I’m in need of a few more interested students to start this summer or fall semester. If you have a strong desire to work at a biotechnology company or pursue a graduate degree, this may be the perfect experience for you.

Although most human traits are influenced by multiple genes and the environment, there are many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified as having strong associations with non-disease related traits. Direct-to-consumer companies capitalize on these SNPs, since people are generally curious about their genes, including my human genetics students. As research projects, I’ve had students develop allele-specific PCR assays, utilizing four primers to identify two different alleles, to identify a genotype of their choice. Successful assays have been optimized in my molecular biology course and implemented in my human genetics course. Some examples of traits included alcohol & caffeine metabolism, Heparin metabolism, cognitive memory, nicotine addiction, performance under stress, odds of avoiding errors, rage caused by chewing sounds, salt vs sweet preference, BMI associated with saturated fat consumption, and empathy level. As a result, I’ve had students present their assays at the Human Genetics Conferences in Florida and Vancouver. I welcome students interested in learning molecular techniques and investigating a trait of their choice. These experiences could help prepare you for a biotechnology job or graduate school.

Almost anyone can find a trait that seems to be familial, meaning it’s expressed in multiple generations. I’ve had students perform family pedigree analyses and population studies to identify possible SNPs associated with a wide variety of human conditions, such as breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, antitrypsin deficiency, malignant hyperthermia, thyroid disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, dyslexia and, most recently, POTS disorder. As a result, students presented their findings at conferences in Vancouver, San Diego, and Boston. I welcome students interested in pursuing a career in genetic counseling and/or know of a family with a familial condition they would like to study.

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Student Presentations Under My Mentorship:  (since 2010)

Professional Affliliations