Dr. Loretta Jackson-Hayes Research Group, Fungal Growth Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

a compilation of lab images featuring students and Prof. Jackson-Hayes

Our laboratory focuses on mechanisms of eukaryotic gene expression. Currently, we are focusing on genes and proteins that are involved in fungal cell wall metabolism. The fungal cell wall, which is composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, is essential for fungal growth and is an excellent target for antifungal drugs and fungicides. Knowledge regarding fungal growth can be used to inform scientists, doctors, farmers, and fungi-related industries on how to control their growth. We have identified several genes that play specific roles in cell wall metabolism in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Experiments are being conducted to investigate the regulation of message production of these genes, to observe the cellular localization of the proteins during different stages of fungal development, and to learn more about the specific role of each of them in cell wall metabolism.

Current Group Members

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Toler Freyaldenhoven, BMB ’20

a young man with dark hair and a beard wearing glasses in a lab

Yahya Hameed, BMB ’21

Research Projects

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Maleiah Carrol, Alexis Craft, and Yahya Hameed presenting research project on interactions between protein kinase C and the small GTPase Rho4. ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 2019, Orlando, FL

three female students and one male student in front of a poster board

Elisabet Olsen, Brianna Betton, Lynsey Campbell, and Ashmeet Singh presenting research project on PkcA interaction with the formin SepA. ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 2018, San Diego, CA.

Publications

Loretta Jackson-Hayes, Zainab O. Atiq, Brianna Betton, W. Toler Freyaldenhoven, Lance Myers, Elisabet Olsen, Terry W. Hill. (2019) “Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase C forms a complex with the formin SepA that is involved in apical growth and septation.” Fungal Genetics and Biology, 122, 21-30.

Loretta Jackson-Hayes, Terry W. Hill, Darlene M. Loprete, Claire DelBove, Justin Shapiro, Jordan Henley, and Omolola Dawodu. (2015) “Two amino acid sequences direct Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase C (PkcA) localization to hyphal apices and septation sites.” Mycologia, 107(3), 452-459.