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Allison B. Jablonski, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Biology Program
Lynchburg College

Experience/Background


After my graduate work at the Medical College of Virginia, I moved to Charlottesville for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Cancer Center at the University of Virginia. My cross-training there involved research in the signal transduction and cell biology of breast cancer. My teaching experience includes teaching medical and dental students at MCV/VCU, and undergraduate biology at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville.

 

Degrees and Certifications

  • B.S. in Biology
    1986
    College of William and Mary
  • Graduate Studies in Zoology
    1988-1990
    North Carolina State University
  • Ph.D. in Human Genetics
    1995
    Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University

Professional Interests/Research

My research interests stem from both my graduate work, my postdoctoral fellowship and personal experience. In graduate school, I worked on transcriptional control of a gene involved in signal transduction, Gai2. I was able to characterize some of the transcription factors involved in the negative regulation of this gene. In my postdoctoral work at UVA, I studied the expression of HER2/neu, a membrane receptor involved in the genesis of human breast tumors. Currently, I am interested in determining how HER2/neu is turned on and off, and why it is overexpressed in breast tumors. This project involves DNA and protein analysis, and how DNA interacts with proteins in the nucleus of breast cancer cells. Breast cancer research is vital and exciting, and is necessary for the effective treatment of women affected with this disease. New techniques in my lab involve the use of siRNA (small interfering RNA) in an effort to prevent production HER2/neu in breast tumor cells.

 Another project in my lab examines protein phosphorylation in liver cells after Franciscella tularensis infection, a species of bacteria which have great potential to be used as a biothreat agent. We are looking at changes occurring in infected cells, such as apoptosis, cytokine production, and changes in intracellular signaling.

Information on Courses Taught

BIOL 112 Cells: Genetic and Molecular Perspectives

BIOL 323 Genetics

BIOM 312 Forensic Science

BIOM 398 Special Topics: Cancer Biology

BIOL 430 Molecular Cell Biology

Personal Info/Interests

I enjoy outdoor activities with my children such as hiking, bicycling, and working in the garden. I also sing with choral groups in Lynchburg and enjoy music a great deal.

You may contact me at 434/544-8367 or e-mail: jablonski@lynchburg.edu