Linda B. Bloom, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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Linda B. Bloom, Ph.D. |
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Biochemistry of DNA Replication and Repair Our general research interests are in the dynamic protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions that are required to maintain the structure and to preserve the genetic integrity of DNA. Our current research is in the general areas of DNA replication and repair. We are interested in how individual enzymes work to accurately replicate and repair DNA as well as in the coordination and timing of interactions between proteins and between proteins and DNA. Our long-term goals are to define molecular mechanisms by which the replication machinery duplicates genomes to support normal cell division, and to define mechanisms by which these enzymes respond to DNA damage that is encountered during replication. Our current research project investigates the mechanism of the clamp loading reaction of catalyzed by E. coli γ complex and eukaryotic replication factor C (RFC). In the eukaryotic system, we are comparing the activities of RFC and the DNA damage checkpoint clamp loader, Rad24-RFC. Many fundamental questions remain to be answered about the dynamic mechanism of clamp loading and functions of the checkpoint clamp loader. Our approach to investigating the mechanism of clamp loading is unique in that we use assays to monitor the clamp loading reactionin solution and in real-time to directly measure these dynamic interactions. Although our current work is not directly aimed at developing a cure for a specific disease or disorder, basic research in the area of DNA replication provides the foundation of knowledge on which to make clinical correlations between defects in DNA replication and disease. In addition, the development of therapeutic agents that selectively target the replication machinery of pathogens and the development of diagnostic tools such as PCR require a strong understanding of the biochemistry of DNA replication.
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Status: Possibly Accepting New Students This Year Contact Information: office: Academic Research Bldg, R3-165 lab: Academic Research Bldg, R3-179 phone: (352) 392-8708 email: lbloom@ufl.edu Home Page Biography: Linda Bloom received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida. As a postdoc, she joined Professor Myron Goodman's laboratory at the University of Southern California where she studied the fidelity of DNA replication. Her first faculty position was at Arizona State University in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In 1999, she joined the faculty at the University of Florida in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. |
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