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Kelly Flentie I am a Ph.D. student in the microbiology program and I am studying Salmonella enterica for my thesis work. Salmonella are typically known for their ability to cause gastrointestinal disease in humans. While the mechanisms behind this disease pathogenesis are well-studied, Salmonella have another fascinating behavior. Interestingly, Salmonella have also been shown to localize to the site of malignant tumors in vivo within mouse model systems. The Salmonella bacteria, after colonizing a tumor site, are capable of preferentially replicating and persisting in the tumor. In my work, I am utilizing bioluminescent imaging to uncover the interactions occurring between Salmonella and cancer cells, including precise gene regulation events. When not in lab, I enjoy running and rock climbing. And when not doing any of these activities, I refuel with my other passions: cooking and eating. Education:     B.S. in Microbiology, University of Kansas

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Britney Moss My current research focuses on using bioluminescent imaging as a tool to study how cells interpret signals from their environment and funnel this information through critical signaling networks within cells. The signaling pathway I am currently studying, the NF-kB pathway, is involved in mediating immune and inflammation responses and is often a contributing factor to the progression of cancerous growth. I am investigating potential mechanisms that regulate the activity of key proteins in the NF-kB pathway by using fusion protein reporters.  In my first year in the DPW lab, my work has utilized in cellulo bioluminescent imaging of an IkBa-FLuc reporter (the inhibitor of NF-kB protein fused to the firefly luciferase enzyme), in vitro kinase assays, biochemical techniques, and computational modeling to probe the dynamic properties of NF-kB signaling and to fully characterize the many levels of regulation that govern this pathway.  In my spare time, I enjoy going to concerts, watching movies, eating at the multitude of great St. Louis restaurants, reading, and playing Guitar Hero 2!  Education:     B.S. in Biochemistry, Montana State University Additional Information :     Research Assistant, Rasiris, Inc., Bozeman, MT (Aug. 04 - Jul. 05)

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Snehal Naik I am a PhD student in the Molecular Genetics and Genomics program and my thesis research involves both developing new bioluminescence reporters, and high-throughput RNA interference screening for biological modulators of signal transduction pathways. My pathway of interest is the Wnt/b-catenin signaling cascade. Other projects I am involved in include the development of novel split-luciferases, and the use of spectral unmixing of multi-colored luciferases for studying protein-protein interactions. Outside of the lab, I serve on various graduate student committees and am the co-chair of the Student Advisory Committee (SAC).  I am from Mumbai, India and always looking for opportunities to travel and learn new languages…. but try to be content with watching foreign films! Education:     AB.MA. in Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA

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Mei-Hsiu (Danzo) Pan I am a PhD student in the Molecular Cell Biology program and my research of interest is molecular imaging in the application of cancer biology. Currently, my research focuses on Wnt/b-catenin and associated signaling cascades which integrate with high-throughput RNA interference screening modality. In addition, I am also involved in project studying protein-protein interaction using rapamycin-induced transcription readout in a yeast two-hybrid system. In my spare time, I keep myself entertained with various kinds of activities including biking, kayaking, gardening in the good days or painting, music-listening, netflixing, youtubing in the bad ones. Education:     M.D., Medical School, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

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Aparna Kesarwala, M.D., Ph.D. (M.D., Ph.D. May 2008; Currently in residency training) I am an M.D., Ph.D. student in the Molecular Cell Biology program and my thesis project focused on the development of a bioluminescent reporter system to image ligand-induced processing of the epidermal growth factor receptor in real time.  I will be starting residency training in Radiation Oncology this June.

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Victor Villalobos, M.D., Ph.D. (M.D., Ph.D. May 2008; Currently in residency training) I spent my years in lab helping to develop advanced methods in improving detection of protein interactions via methods in protein fragment complementation and BRET. The protein fragment complementation strategies have led to development of multicolored probes that allow for simultaneous imaging of multiple discreet interactions within the same cell in real time. I also developed with Seth Gammon a set of novel BRET (bioluminescence resonance energy transfer) constructs that utilize D-luciferin based reporters allowing for enhanced detection of protease activity in living cells. Currently I will be beginning my residency training in June followed by a fellowship in Heme/Onc. Education:     Baylor University B.S. Biochemistry 1999     Washington University Ph.D. Chemical Biology 2008     Washington University M.D. 2008 Cores affiliated with:     Molecular Reporter Core     Molecular Imaging Chemisty Core