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Leslie Gregg-Jolly
Professor of Biology, and Associate Dean of the College
Ph.D. 1991, Yale University; Postdoctoral Fellow, 1992-1993, University of Arizona;
Molecular Biology and Microbial Genetics.
Tel: 641-269-4978; FAX: 641-269-4284;
Office: Nollen House; Email: greggjol@grinnell.edu
Dean's Office Staff webpage.
To request a letter of recommendation, click here to get instructions.
I am interested in DNA repair mechanisms and recombination. These processes
are essential for the protection of organisms from DNA-damaging agents such
as ultraviolet light and chemical mutagens. These mechanisms also contribute to
the evolution of new traits.
Projects in my lab involve using genetic and molecular techniques to study DNA
repair and recombination in the bacteria Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter
calcoaceticus. In E. coli, DNA damage causes the induction of over 20 genes
and this is termed the SOS response. Although the SOS system has served as a
model for understanding DNA repair and recombination in other systems such as
yeast, plants and humans, there is still much that we don't understand about the
SOS response in E. coli. For example, we have not yet identified the precise
inducing signal of the SOS response or the biological functions of many of the
SOS gene products. It is not yet clear whether A. calcoaceticus exhibits an
E. coli-like SOS response. Characterization of DNA repair and recombination
in A. calcoaceticus may increase our understanding of these processes
generally and may be applicable towards utilization of A. calcoaceticus
for bioremediation and biotechnology. Courses in Genetics and Microbiology
would be helpful for students interested in pursuing these projects.
Other independent projects in microbial genetics and molecular biology are possible.
- Biology 195: Introductory Special Topic: Social and Ethical Implications of Contemporary Human Genetics
- Biology 150: Introduction to Biological Inquiry: Biological Responses to Stress
- Bio 251: Molecules, Cells & Organisms
- Biology 235: Molecular Genetics
- Biology 380: Molecular Biology
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