Department of Biology
Vincent C. Henrich , Professor
- Research:
- My research program studies the molecular mechanisms by which insect hormones direct the transcription of genes associated with metamorphosis, with a special interest in two nuclear receptor proteins that together form an active steroid hormone receptor. Through site-directed mutagenesis, cell culture, and the construction of transgenic lines of Drosophila melanogaster, we are testing the effects of mutated and structurally modified receptors on gene expression and developmental processes. We are also developing assays to discover new insecticides that exert their effects by disrupting specific receptors, and thereby cause the death of feeding insect larvae. The receptors are also being studied for their potential use as transcriptional inducers of beneficial genes in plants, and as agents for gene therapy in humans and other animals.
- Recent Publications:
-
Y Sun, S An, VC Henrich and Q Song (2008) Proteomic identification of PKC-mediated expression of 20E-induced protein in Drosophila melanogaster. J. Proteomic Res., 6, 4478-4488.
Marshall, M.M., R. Amos, V.C. Henrich, and P.A. Rublee. (2008). Metagenomic profiling of aquatic microbial communities using SSU rDNA sequences: Implications for environmental assessments. Ecological Indicators 8:442-453.Costantino, FB, D. Bricker, K Alexandre, K Shen, J. Merriam, J. Callender, V Henrich, A Presente, and AJ Andres (2008). A novel ecdysone (20E) receptor mediates steroid-regulated developmental events prior to the onset of metamorphosis in Drosophila. PLoS Genetics, online.
Henrich, VC, JM Beatty ,H Ruff, J Callender, M Grebe, and M Spindler-Barth (2009) The multidimensional partnership of EcR and USP. In: Ecdysone: Structures and Functions. Ed. by Guy Smagghe. Springer Science, pp 361-375
JM Beatty, G Smagghe, T Ogura, Y Nakagawa, M Spindler-Barth, and VC Henrich (2009) Properties of ecdysteroid receptors from diverse insect species: A basis for identifying novel insecticides. FEBS J, in press
Henrich, VC, and JM Beatty (2009) Drosophila Nuclear Receptors. In: Handbook of Cell Signalling, Second Edition. Elsevier Press, San Diego. In press.
- Classes:
- Genetics (BIO 392)
- Genetics Lab (BIO 393)
- Advanced Topics in Genetics (BIO 506)
- Hormones in Action (BIO 578)
- Introduction to Biotechnology (BIO 594)
- Advanced Genetics (BIO 595)
- Molecular Biological Approaches in Research (BIO 596)
- Molecular Genetics Seminar (BIO 625)
- Contact:
- 211 Eberhart Building
- (336)334-4775