Biography
My laboratory focuses on two areas that attempt to understand how physiological processes are regulated. One area involves understanding the molecular and genetic events involved in the initiation of sporulation in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis.
A second area of interest is an examination of the frequency and diversity of bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) in the environment. These viruses may offer a relatively unexplored reservoir for novel genes that could play a role in altering host cell physiology and have practical biotechnological applications.
There are several ongoing projects in the laboratory that use current microbiological, biochemical and molecular techniques in which students can participate.
Publications
Mysliwiec, T.H., A. F. Tierno, and D. J. Aurentz. 2009. Characterization of Bacillus subtilis sporulation and bacteriophage infection via FT-IR spectroscopy. Spectroscopy 23:165-174.
Fidanza, M.A., S.J. McDonald, P. Wong, T.H. Mysliwiec and R.M. Averell 2009. First Report of Brown Ring Patch Caused by Waitea circinata var. circinata on Poa annua in Pennsylvania. Plant Disease 93(9):962
Education
Postdoc, Molecular Oncology Fox Chase Cancer Center, Phila. PA
Ph.D., Genetics and Molecular Biology Drexel University, Phila., PA
B.S., Biology, Minor Chemistry University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY