First name,Last name,Preferred title,Overview,Position,Department,Individual
Rodolfo,Aramayo,Associate Professor,"My current research primarily focuses on understanding the organization, distribution, and comparison of information in Biological Systems. Our work encompasses two key levels of investigation:
Molecular Genetics: We employ the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa as a model organism to uncover and comprehend the intricate molecular components responsible for sequence-based comparisons between homologous chromosomes, leading to the initiation of Meiotic Silencing, a phenomenon driven by RNA-mediated processes. Currently, our primary focus centers on the exploration of whether genes recognized for their significance in Meiotic Transvection/Silencing also contribute to the occurrence of Repeat Induced Point Mutation (RIP) phenomena.
Computational Analysis: We are developing novel computational pipelines dedicated to detecting sequence variations within related genomes. We are particularly intrigued by the prospect of simplifying (i.e., digitizing) the information present in DNA, RNA, and Proteins so as to simplify its manipulation and analysis. We think that digitizing emerging genomic data will not only enable us to use this data effectively but also to integrate it into Artificial Intelligence, Data Clustering, and Image Recognition Algorithms, in ways not done before. We posit that this process of converting biological features into digital equivalents has the potential to simplify genomic information, making it easier to uncover previously unnoticed patterns through complex computational comparisons. This approach has already yielded promising results by revealing unexpected informational patterns across various organisms' chromosomes. We believe that it will streamline and enhance our ability to comprehend different cellular and organismal states. Moreover, it holds significant promise in revolutionizing our understanding of diseases, particularly Cancer and Metagenomics. This informational perspective also contributes to our comprehension of genome evolution, especially in the field of comparative genomics and microbial metagenomics.",Associate Professor,Biology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n14287b36
Karl,Aufderheide,Emeritus Associate Professor,"Cell/Developmental Biology. Developmental Genetics. Intracellular differentiation of eukaryotes, especially ciliates. General interests in: intracellular pattern formation and morphogenesis; molecular aspects of gene expression in ciliate protozoa; development of organelles, including intracellular motility and organelle localization. Specific interests in: signal transduction, regulation of cytoskeletal organization, and motility in the social amoeba Dictyostelium; organization, patterning and morphogenesis of surface-related cytoskeletal and membranous structures of ciliates, especially Paramecium; applications of laser optical force trap technology to developmental problems in Paramecium tetraurelia and Tetrahymena thermophila; 2 molecular aspects of serotype gene expression in P. tetraurelia; development of exocytotic organelles (the trichocysts) in P. tetraurelia. General approach involves use of classical and modern light and electron microscopic techniques, integrated with genetic, molecular, mechanical or physiological manipulations of the cells.",Associate Professor,Biology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n3ed65e09
Michael,Alexander,Lab Instructor,,Lab Instructor,Biology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n92883507
Aref,Arzan Zarin,Assistant Professor,"We are at the beginning of an exciting new era for neuroscience, as our ability to probe neural circuits and their neuronal components is advancing rapidly due to genetic and optogenetic tools. Our research program applies these tools to address fundamental questions about how the same neural circuitry generates different motor patterns, and how such circuits develop and are maintained. We investigate these questions using the Drosophila larva, which has the following advantages:(i) The connectome of the larval motor circuit is near completion, enabling us to identify, at the single-synapse level, the pre and postsynaptic partners of each individual neuron embedded in it. This anatomical map has provided an excellent substrate to study the development, maintenance, and function of larval motor circuits as well as the cell biology of individual neurons embedded within it. (ii) The larval CNS generates multiple motor behaviors that can be studied at the single neuron/single muscle level. Moreover, using the modern optogenetic methods, it is possible to access individual neurons, monitor or alter their activity, and observe the behavioral consequences. (iii) It is also feasible to selectively inactivate or induce ectopic expression of any gene (e.g. those coding for transcription factors) in the neuron of interest, and examine its effect on intrinsic neural properties, morphology, connectivity pattern, and behavioral performance of the animal, thereby linking the gene to development and behavior.",Assistant Professor,Biology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/na0cb5dc6
Amanda,Adams,Adjunct Faculty,,Adjunct Faculty||Senior Lecturer,Biology||College of Arts and Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nad7c1e41