Steven Bowden

Steven Bowden

STEVEN BOWDEN

Assistant Professor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition

PhD, Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 2006

sbowden@umn.edu
fscn.cfans.umn.edu/people/steven-bowden

Research Interests

Foodborne pathogens (Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli), microbial stress responses, bacterial genetics, bacterial virulence, and functional genomics and bacteriophages.

Bio

In his research, Steven Bowden utilizes microbial genetics as a means to understand human pathogens’ growth and survival within foods and determine mechanisms to control them through routes such as bacteriophage. His research seeks to isolate and engineer bacteriophage that kill foodborne pathogens and provide mechanisms to detect them in foods.

Kyle Costa

Kyle Costa

KYLE COSTA

Assistant Professor
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

PhD, Microbiology, University of Washington Seattle, 2013

kcosta@umn.edu
costalab.umn.edu

Research Interests

Physiology of members of the methanogenic archaea (the methanogens), microbial metabolism, anaerobic microbiology.

Bio

Kyle Costa is interested in microbial metabolism with a focus on anaerobic processes. Specifically, the Costa lab seeks to characterize pathways for the utilization of diverse electron donors in methanogenic Archaea and understand the redox properties and biochemical reactions of phenazine metabolites.

Antony Dean

Antony Dean

ANTONY M. DEAN

Professor
Department of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior

PhD, Washington University St. Louis, 1987

deanx024@umn.edu

Research Interests

Molecular evolution, enzymology; experiments with bacterial enzymes known collectively as isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IDH).

Bio

Antony Dean is interested in discerning the effects of natural selection on evolution at the molecular level. The approach used by the Dean lab places a strong emphasis on the relations between protein structure and protein function in an effort to understand the mechanistic basis of natural selection. Specifically, the Dean lab utilizes two metabolic systems in Escherichia coli as models of molecular evolution: the lactose operon and the isocitrate dehydrogenase.

 

Mark Distefano

Mark Distefano

MARK DISTEFANO

Professor
Department of Chemistry

PhD, Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1989

diste001@umn.edu
distefano.chem.umn.edu

Research Interests

Molecular recognition and catalysis in the context of proteins, and the process of protein prenylation, a key modification that occurs on proteins involved in cellular signaling.

Bio

In his research, Mark Distefano uses a combination of organic synthesis, protein purification, enzymology and biophysical techniques. Primarily, the Distefano group utilizes organic chemistry to provide insight into mechanism and function in biological systems. Several projects are currently being investigated including (1) mechanism and function of protein prenylation (2) rubber biosynthesis (3) illudin biosynthesis (4) protein-based catalyst design and (5) development of methods for selective protein modification.

Mikael Elias

Mikael Elias

MIKAEL ELIAS

Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics

PhD, Aix-Marseille University France, 2009

mhelias@umn.edu
eliaslab.org

Research Interests

Microbial enzymes and systems that have the potential to address industrial needs or may be useful for bio-remediation, specifically, the cellular phosphate uptake mechanism.

Bio

In his research, Mikael Elias seeks to decipher the mechanisms by which biological macromolecules evolve, to understand the molecular basis of their biological functions, and to develop new methods for their engineering. Long-term, Mikael is interested in developing soft, ecological solutions to current or emerging societal issues. The current methods used in the Elias Lab are spanning from molecular biology and microbiology, to protein engineering, structural biology and bioinformatics.

Kathryn Fixen

Kathryn Fixen

KATHRYN FIXEN

Assistant Professor
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

PhD, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 2009

kfixen@umn.edu
cbs.umn.edu/contacts/kathryn-fixen
fixenlab.com

Research Interests

Redox regulation of metabolism in an anoxygenic phototroph; mechanisms by which redox status can modulate central metabolism and product formation without the complication of reactive oxygen species.

Bio

In her work, Katie Fixen aims to find a reliable source of alternative energy that could reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Her lab’s research focuses on Rhodopseudomonas palustris (R. pal), a metabolically-versatile photosynthetic bacterium, hoping to develop a more efficient way to extract energy from the sun and convert it into biofuel energy. Beyond her research, Katie seeks to cultivate interest in science with preteens, especially girls and minorities, ultimately hoping to improve young people’s engagement with and understanding of science.