B.S., Systems Engineering, University of Virginia, 2003
Email: dlongo AT ucsd.edu Phone: 858.822.3858
Biography/Research Profile:
Oscillations in protein levels are central to several cellular processes, but
the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for producing oscillations in
natural signaling systems are not fully understood. The aim of my research is
to create a synthetic network in mammalian cells that is capable of exhibiting
oscillatory behavior. I have constructed retroviral vectors containing the components
of a synthetic oscillatory network and I am currently transducing mammalian
cells with the two vectors containing the network components as well as a third
GFP reporter vector. I will be using fluorescence microscopy to monitor oscillations
in GFP reporter protein levels in individual cells. Utilizing microfluidic devices
will allow me to control precisely the chemical and thermal environment of the
cells. Computational modeling of the network will enable us to make predictions
about the behavior of the synthetic circuit, and model predictions will be compared
to experimental results. The development of an artificial mammalian gene oscillator
will advance our understanding of gene regulation and will allow improved cellular
control thus leading to novel applications in gene and cell therapy.
