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Traci L. Stevens, Ph.D. Education: Post-doc, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2000-2004
Ph.D. Washington University, Molecular Genetics, 1998
B.S. University of Northern Iowa, Biology and Chemistry, 1993
E-mail: tstevens@rmc.edu Office: Copley 123
Courses:
BIOL 122 Integrative Biology II
BIOL 200 Genetics
BIOL 353 Molecular Genetics
CHEM 408 Biochemistry II |
Research Interests
Organization of cells into tissues and organs during development is a highly regulated process that requires coordinated cell shape changes and cell migration. These complex cell behaviors are driven by rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton, which underlies the cell membrane. Many proteins regulate the remodeling of actin during cell migration, including Abelson (Abl) kinases. However, details about how Abl receives signals from the cell surface and remodels actin are not known in the context of animal development.
The overall goal of our research is to characterize the molecular pathways that Abl uses to regulate actin-based processes in vivo. Currently, we are (1) exploring the roles of candidate genes in Abl signaling pathways using a combination of genetic, cell biological, and biochemical approaches and (2) carrying out a genomic screen to identify novel components of Abl signaling pathways that regulate cell shape changes and cell migration during development.
Publications
Stevens, T.L., E.M. Rogers, L.M. Koontz*, D.T. Fox, C.C.F. Homen, S.H. Nowotarski, N.B. Artabazon*, and M. Peifer. 2008. Using Bcr-Abl to examine mechanisms by which Abl kinase regulates morphogenesis in Drosophila. Molecular Biology of the Cell 19:378-393.
* denotes undergraduate as co-author
Grevengoed, E.E., J.J. Loureiro, T.L. Jesse, and M. Peifer. 2002. Abelson kinase regulates epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila. Journal of Cell Biology 155:1185-1197.
Note: Jesse is the former last name of T. L. Stevens
Jesse, T.L., R. LaChance, M.F. Iademarco, and D.C. Dean. 1998. Interferon regulatory factor-2 is a transcriptional activator in muscle where it regulates expression of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1. Journal of Cell Biology 140:1265-1276.