Jennifer Loros
Jennifer Loros | |
---|---|
Born | 15 April 1950 San Mateo, California |
Nationality | American |
Other names | JJ Loros |
Spouse | Jay Dunlap |
Awards | National Science Foundation Merit Award and Creativity Award, Aschoff's Ruler |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Chronobiology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular and Systems Biology |
Jennifer Loros, also known as J.J. Loros, is a
Biography
Education
Loros is from
By 1979, Loros received her bachelor's degree in
Career (1988-present)
In 1988, Loros began her career in biology at
Loros also leads research at the Dunlap and Loros Laboratories with her husband Jay Dunlap, a fellow chronobiologist and researcher.[2] Her focus is on the circadian clock in Neurospora and its application to the genetic mechanisms of the clock in other organisms.[1][2] Loros, along with Jay Dunlap and Patricia J. DeCoursey, co-authored the text book "Chronobiology: Biological Timekeeping " which was published on June 1, 2004. The text chronicles the field of chronobiology by exploring both past and current discoveries and their relevance to modern society.[3]
Scientific career
Advancements in methodology
Dr. Loros contributed to advancing research techniques by developing a targeted gene disruption technique for use in Neurospora, which had the effect of amplifying gene markers in such a manner as to make identification of low homologous recombination rates possible, which had previously not been the case when using traditional techniques such as Southern Blot tests.[4] Gene identification in Neurospora was additionally progressed by Loros’ lab when it produced a high density SNP map for Neurospora.[4][5]
Lastly, continuing on with an idea from her post-doc work, Loros resynthesized a gene that codes for firefly luciferase.[2] Since Neurospora has long been a key model organism in the chronobiology field, modifying this tool has been key in further research. Before this, codon bias prevented effective usage of firefly luciferase in Neurospora, problematic as firefly luciferase serves as a reporter to measure transcription in cells. By modifying the firefly luciferase gene, Loros was able to achieve several orders more of light production in Neurospora, revolutionizing transcription measurements in N. cell cultures. Moreover, her modification to this reporter allowed the FRQ/WCC feedback loop to be monitored in real time without disturbing the overt rhythms of the system. This in turn provided the tool to distinguish between oscillators not directly in the clock and the circadian clock itself.[6]
Research into clock-controlled genes and frq
After joining the faculty of the
Research into photobiology, the White-Collar Complex, and Aspergillus fumigatus
During her post-doc work, Loros remarked upon the possibility of frq being light induced, which was later confirmed by a post-doc fellow.[8] Turning her attention to the governing body for this light induction, Loros began experimenting with wc-1 finding that it not only was the mediator for said light induction, but was also necessary for Neurospora’s clock in the absence of light.[8]
Wc-1, in conjunction with its partner protein, wc-2, was found to be the first described positive element regulator in a circadian feedback loop, with the norm being that of negative regulators. This led to the precedent of the PAS-PAS heterodimers in both animals and fungi alike.[8]
The role of metabolism in the circadian system
Recently, Loros has worked on examining the reciprocal relationship between metabolism and circadian rhythm. Using Neurospora as her model organism, Loros’ work has revealed how interconnected these two crucial systems are in fungi. These links include both the outputs of each system and how metabolism can directly influence the rhythms set by the clock.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d "Faculty : Department of Molecular and Systems Biology :: Geisel School of Medicine". geiselmed.dartmouth.edu. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Geisel School of Medicine :: Dunlap - Loros Lab :: Lab Members". geiselmed.dartmouth.edu. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
- PMID 21676707. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
- ^ PMID 17352902.)
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