Wednesday
10/22/08

Undergrad Research - Physiology and Biophysics

Posted by Nigel on October 22, 2008 in Research Information and Opportunities

Dr. Wilma Hofman is a new faculty member in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics and she has some research projects available for undergraduate students.

Below is a description of her research :

Over the last several years the identification and functional characterization of the motorproteins actin and myosin in the nucleus has initiated a change in the view of nuclear processes. It is now well-accepted that actin as well as various myosins are engaged in RNA processing and transport, chromatin remodeling, and transcription by RNA polymerase I, II and III.

Several research projects are available that will analyze the function and regulation of nuclear actin and nuclear myosins, such as analysis of transcription by RNA polymerase II. We use in vitro as well as in vivo transcription assays to understand how exactly actin and myosins are involved in this specific process.

Other research projects are directed at understanding the regulation of nuclear actin and myosins during oxidative stress in cardiac diseases such as the ischemic heart, in cancer, as well as in neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Positions would be open starting basically now with no real expiration date.

Prior experience in a laboratory setting is helpful but not necessary. We will train as required.

The projects can be on voluntary basis, work study, or for credit (ANY OF THESE WAYS WOULD COUNT AS AN HONORS EXPERIENCE).

Sincerely,

Wilma A. Hofmann, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics

SUNY at Buffalo

BRB 517

Buffalo, NY, 14214

716-829-3290 (T)

whofmann@buffalo.edu