Research Areas

Molecular control of cellular structure and function

The cell is the basic unit of life, and excellence in biology learning and discovery requires a fundamental understanding of cellular structure and function. This area encompasses the assembly and function of subcellular organelles, and the channeling and compartmentalization of proteins and pathways. This research also provides the foundation for understanding the regulation of gene expression, metabolic network, and responses to environmental signals, areas in which molecular biologists and cell biologists in GDCB have developed nationally recognized programs. 

Integration of computational approaches

Genome projects and high-throughput experimental technologies produce immense amounts of information. Effective use of these data increasingly requires sophisticated computational expertise, and major breakthroughs in biological research will result from the collaborative efforts of experimentalists and computational biologists. ISU has a nationally-recognized program in bioinformatics and computational biology, with the GDCB Department as a major player. Bioinformatics and computational biology also are essential for ISU’s emerging program in the important new field of systems biology, which focuses on integrating knowledge of the functions and interactions of individual components to gain insight into the structure and dynamics of a complete biological system. This approach will be essential to address questions at increasingly complex levels of biological organization and, ultimately, will provide the basis for successful modeling of genetic, metabolic and signal transduction networks. 

Mechanisms of multicellular development

During multi-cellular development, individual cells must integrate intracellular and extracellular signals and implement appropriate decisions, such as whether to grow, divide, migrate, differentiate, or die. The molecular mechanisms that control developmental cell fate decisions are also the keys to solving many biomedical and agricultural concerns. GDCB is building upon strengths in genome dynamics, functional genomics, and computational biology to achieve a nationally recognized program of research that investigates the regulatory circuitry of development. Research topics in this area include specification of cell fates and cellular differentiation, cell-cell interactions and signal transduction, pattern formation, organogenesis, neurobiology, and programmed cell death. 

Analysis of the structure, function and activity of the genome 

The field of genetics and genomics studies vital processes required for the maintenance, inheritance and expression of the genetic material, including transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, segregation and recombination of genetic material, as well as CRISPR-mediated genome-editing tools to modify genomes. GDCB department has expertise in a number of these areas, most notably in genetic studies with model systems (e.g. Arabidopsis, maize, yeast, drosophila, zebrafish, and mouse), developing genome-editing tools, the experimental analysis of gene expression, and the analysis of genomic data using bioinformatics and computational biology approaches. 

Integration of metabolism into systems biology

This includes regulation of metabolic networks, metabolic regulation of gene expression and integration of metabolism into systems biology. 

Instructional and pedagogical innovation

This includes development and implementation of novel and innovative methods and mechanisms to aid in student learning. Faculty in GDCB are especially active in the integration of web-based technology into both traditional face-to-face and on-line courses. 

The GDCB Department also is interested in the efficient and effective conveyance of biological knowledge to students at ISU and elsewhere. Because of this faculty within the department are active in designing, testing and implementing innovative methods and mechanisms to aid in student learning. These efforts are particularly active in the undergraduate biology curriculum, where novel methods are introduced and tested fairly regularly. Of particular note are the efforts of GDCB faculty in the design, testing and integration of web-based technology into courses, in both on-line and traditional classroom settings.