Tenure Denied ! : The 9mm Solution is NOT the Right Solution

That most unfortunate situation over the weekend, the school shooting at Shelby Hall at U. Alabama Huntsville, being a department member shooting 6 other department members over her tenure denied, should not pass without comment, by any of us.

Three Scientists were killed, 2 injured, and the Biology department's exec secretary as well.

You can read elsewhere about the horrible 9mm handgun response the deranged denied-professor carried out, and about her herself. I am sick at heart of  the whole situation and will mention her no further.

Instead, I wish to call attention the the deceased Scientists. They wondered as we do, they worked to tear away the veils of ignorance, as we do, but they can practice their craft no more, as we can.

Their survivors deserve our thanks for nurturing these good people which led to their important accomplishments..

They and their accomplishments were:

Dr. G. K. Podila Chair Department of Biological Sciences Research Areas
	Engineering tree Biomass for Bioenergy. Functional Genomics of Plant-microbe interactions, Plant Molecular biology and Biotechnology Research Description (1) Functional genomics of plant-microbe interactions: Under beneficial interactions, our lab is studying early gene expression resulting from ectomycorrhizal formation, in order to identify genes essential for ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. Our lab is one of the first labs to genetically engineer mycorrhizal fungi for functional genomic studies. Most recently, our lab is involved in coordinating the first genome-sequencing project on ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor by Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute. The L. bicolor genome sequence is now publicly available at JGI web site. Dr. Podila's lab is a member of International Steering committee involved in genome projects of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices and also poplar rust fungus Melampsora. Funding:NSF (2) Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: Our lab is pursuing molecular basis of developmental control of reproductive tissues and vascular tissues (wood formation) using poplar as a model system. Studies include cloning, characterization, and protein-protein interaction of MADS-box family transcription factors that control these processes. We are also pursuing characterization of promoters from these genes that can be used for targeted gene expression in transgenic trees and to regulate woody biomass and reproductive development. For the last 12 years our lab is involved in developing genetically engineered conifers and hardwood trees, through gene stacking techniques for increasing cellulosic biomass for bioenergy. Other ongoing projects in our lab include cloning and characterization of plant defense genes and antioxidant genes from aspen and developing transgenic trees with enhanced Resistance to pests and oxidative stresses and increased carbon sequestration. Current Funding:DOE. (3) Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics: Our lab is currently collaborating with INRA France, CNRS, Italy, DOE Oak Ridge National labs and Michigan Tech University in developing EST databases and microarray analysis for symbiotic, plant pathogenic and plant stress related differentially expressed genes and to apply these studies for Systems Biology approach to understand functioning at organismal level. Selected Publications Jain P, Wadhwa P, Aygun R, Podila G.K. 2008. Vector-G: Multi-Modular SVM-Based Heterotrimeric G-Protein Prediction. In silico Biology 8, 0013. Martin F. et. al. (2008). The genome of Laccaria bicolor provides insights into mycorrhizal symbiosis. Nature 452(7183):88-92. Pandey, A., White, H., Podila G.K. 2007. Functional Genomic Approaches for Mycorrhizal Research. In Plant Surface Microbiology, Springer-Verlag, Germany. Cseke, L.J., Ravinder, N., Pandey, A.K., and Podila, G.K. 2007. Identification of PTM5 protein interaction partners, a MADS-box gene involved in aspen tree vegetative development. GENE 391: 209-222. Hiremath ST, Balasubramanian S, Zheng J, Podila G K. 2006. Symbiosis-regulated expression of an acetylCoA acetyltransferase gene in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor. Canadian Journal of Botany 84: 1405-1416. Gupta, P., Duplessis, S., White, H., Martin, F., Karnosky, D.F., Podila, G. K. 2005. Gene expression patterns of trembling aspen trees following long-term exposure to elevated CO2 and tropospheric O3. New Phytologist 167(1): 129-142. Cseke LJ, Cseke SB, Ravinder N, Taylor LC, Shankar A, Sen B, Thakur R, Karnosky DF, G. K. Podila. 2005. Sep-Class Genes in Populus Tremuloides and Their Likely Role in Reproductive Survival of Poplar Trees. GENE 358: 1-16. P. Lammers, G. A. Tuskan, S. P. DiFazio. G. K. Podila , F. Martin. 2004. Mycorrhizal symbionts of Populus to be sequenced by the United States Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute. Mycorrhiza 14:63 n 64. G.K. Podila, L. Lanfranco. 2004. Genomics approaches to unravel mycorrhizal symbiosis. In Plant Surface Microbiology, Springer-Verlag, Germany. Pp 561-592. S. Sundaram, Brand, J.H, Hymes, M.J, S.T. Hiremath, G.K. Podila. 2004. Isolation and Analysis of A Symbiosis-Regulated and Ras Interacting Vesicular Assembly Protein Gene from the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Laccaria bicolor. New Phytologist 161:529-538. Cseke, L.J., Zheng, J., Podila, G.K. 2003. Characterization of PTM5 In Aspen: A MADS-Box Gene Expressed During Woody Vascular Development. GENE 318 (2003) 55-67. Peter M, P-E Courty, A. Kohler, C. Delaruelle, D. Martin, D. Tagu, P. Frey-Klett, S. Duplessis, M. Chalot, G.K. Podila, F. Martin. 2003. Analysis of expressed sequence tags from the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes Laccaria bicolor and Pisolithus microcarpus. New Phytologist 159: 117-129. Dr. Adriel D. Johnson, Sr. Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences Research Areas Cell Biology and Nutritional Physiology Research Description The nature of my present research program involves aspects of gastrointestinal physiology that seeks to identify methods of beneficially altering digestive function, specifically pancreatic function, in vertebrates. The philosophy of the program is that the best way of altering gastrointestinal function is to thoroughly understand regulatory mechanisms. The approach is to examine regulatory mechanisms that could enhance pancreatic function via the autonomic nervous system. The overall achievement of this concept of regulating gut function will be to enhance nutrient utilization in domestic animal species. My research goals center around understanding how much of gastrointestinal function is under neural regulation and to determine whether this type of regulation can be manipulated to enhance digestive function for nutrient assimilation and effects on metabolism. Specifically, this will involve understanding how neural elements (receptors) regulate pancreatic functions associated with digestion. An embryonic chick organ culture system has been developed as a model to help determine how the parasympathetic nervous system (cholinergic mechanisms) controls pancreatic functions. Selected Publications Collier, L. J. U. Johnson, and A. D. Johnson, Sr. 2001. Pharmacological studies examining the effects of cholinergic agents on the embryonic chick pancreas. J. Alabama Academy of Science 72:2, 99. Johnson, J. U. and A. D. Johnson, Sr. 2001. The effect of gender and reproductive status on serum amylase and acid phosphatase activity in rabbits. J. Alabama Academy of Science 69:2, 85. Scott, K., L. Perry, O. Emonina, L. McCants, L. Collier, D. Cowley, D. Carswell, A.D. Johnson,J. U. Johnson, A.Hulede.1998. Studies evaluating amylase and acid phosphatase in rabbit secretions.J. Alabama Academy of Science 69:2, 60. Johnson, J.U., and A.D. Johnson. 1996. Superovulating NZW rabbits: Maximizing embryo yields while minimizing hyperemic uterine conditions. J. Alabama Academy of Science 67:2, 61. Meacham, C., N. German, K. Allison, and A. D. Johnson. 1995. Characterizing viability in the embryonic chick pancreas using immunoflorescence techniques. J. Alabama Academy of Science 66:1-2, 10. German, N., C. A. Meacham, and A. D. Johnson. 1995. Effects of cholinergic agents on secretion using a rat pancreatic cell dispersion system. J. Alabama Academy of Science 66:1-2, 13. Johnson, A.D., W.J. Croom, Jr., W.M. Hagler, Jr., and J.F. Ort. 1995. Effects of cholinergic antagonists on carbachol stimulated pancreatic amylase release from a chick organ culture system.J. Chinese Society of Animal Science 24:4,471-485. Meacham, C.A., N.S. German, and A.D. Johnson. 1994. Muscarinic receptors mediate amylase release from exocrine tissue in the embryonic chick pancreas. Molecular Biology of the Cell.5:116a. Johnson, A.D., W.J. Croom, Jr., W.M. Hagler, Jr., J.F. Ort, and C.K. Henrikson. 1993.Pancreatic splenic lobe organ culture system: Viability and amylase release. J. Poultry Science. 72:185-192. Dr. Maria Ragland Davis Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences Research Areas Fungal Genomics/Proteomics, Biotechnology, Plant Pathology Research Description My research focus has been to initially identify novel factors, proteinacious or chemical, which contribute to the fitness of the plant pathogenic fungus, Botrytis cinerea. We are using a combination of tools including a bioinformatic analysis of the known genome sequence and LC-MS mass spectrometry to analyze the secretome of the organism upon exposure to various plant tissues. The LC-MS/MS analysis of various protein secretions is currently being performed in collaboration with Ron Orlando’s lab at the University of Georgia. The hypothesis that we are proposing is that the mechanism of pathogen attacks on host plants may be initially defined with the secretion of key proteins and chemicals that breach the plant cell wall as an initial barrier to the fungus’ attack on its host. Selected Publications Howell, J. and Davis, M. R. (2005) "Plant Defense Mechanisms Against Fungal Pathogens: Polygalacturonase Inhibitor Proteins (PGIPs)". Can. J of Plant Physiol. 27(1): 5-15. Davis, M.R. (2004) "Functional Genomics of Drought Stress Responses in Plants: A Review". Physiol. Mol. Biol. Plants, 10(1): 29-36. Guo, S., Cichy, S.B., He, X., Yang, Q.,Ragland, M., Ghosh, A.K., Johnson, P.F., Unterman,T.G.. Insulin suppresses transactivation by CAAT/enhancer-binding proteins beta (C/EBPbeta). Signaling top300/CREB-binding protein by protein kinase B disrupts interaction with the major activation domain of C/EBPbeta.. J Biol Chem. 2001 276(11):8516-23. Gay, P.A., Ragland, M., Breuning, G. and Soliman, K.M. Molecular characterization of tolerance to Aluminum toxicity in soybean. Phytopathology 1998 88:S31.Gay, P.A.,Ragland, M.Mosko,C. E., Tuzun, S. and Soliman,K.M. Molecular basis of tolerance to aluminum toxicity in soybean.Phytopathology1997 87:S32. Ragland, M. and Soliman, K.M. “Sali5-4a and Sali3-2: Two Genes Induced by Aluminum in Soybean Roots”.Plant Physiology, 114(1) PGR97-071, 1997.Ragland, M. and Theil, E.C. “Ferritin (mRNA, Protein) and Iron Concentrations During Soybean Nodule Development”. Plant Molec. Biol. 1993 (3):555-560. Lescure, A.-M., Proudhon, D., Pesey, H., Ragland, M., Theil, E.C. and Briat, J.-F. “Ferritin Gene Transcription is Regulated by Iron in Soybean Cell Cultures”. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1991 88(18):8222-6. Ragland, M., Briat, J.-F., Gagnon, J., Laulhere, J.-P., Massenet, O. and Theil, E.C. Evidence for Conservation of Ferritin Sequences Among Plants and Animals and for a Transit Peptide in Soybean”. J Biol Chem. 1990. 265(30):18339-44.. 265(30):18339-44.