Edward A. Birge – Emeritus
Most of the research effort is focused on the regulatory genetics of isocitrate dehydrogenase in Escherichia coli
We have made knockout mutations in the icd gene and are using them to examine the interplay of regulatory pathways affecting components of the TCA cycle.
Another component of the research in my laboratory deals with the fate of the DNA transferred from an Hfr cell into an F- cell. We have shown that the location of crossover events is not random but rather determined by the selection applied, by localized hotspots, and by sequences located in or near the portion of the F plasmid transferred during conjugation. We are presently studying the impact of Chi sites on this process.
The most recent research project was an extensive taxonomic analysis of the genus Sporosarcina. We have found wide variability between the type species and natural isolates.
Current Students
Aprilleigh Knapik, Ph.D., Microbiology
Selected Publications
Pearce, L.G., H.C. Reeves and E.A. Birge (1985) Isocitrate dehydrogenase assays on intact bacterial cells. Anal. Biochem. 147:194-196.
Bess, V.H. and E.A. Birge (1987) Characterization of phage 18, an unstable coliphage. Virology 156:122-126.
Herald, C. and E.A. Birge (1990) Location of icdA and fadR on the physical map of Escherichia coli. Journal of Bacteriology, p. 6618.