Water Quality Researcher

Karen Beljan, BS '05, Environmental Engineering

A Lake Divided: Modeling DO in Onondaga Lake

Beljan, of Eden, New York, evaluated remediation alternatives to improve the water quality of Onondaga Lake, ultimately helping to develop a method to aerate the lake that would improve the water and ecosystem.

(Photo: KC Kratt, MFA '84)

Gene Regulation By The Wilms' Tumor Suppressor Protein WT1

Wilms’ tumor is a pediatric malignancy of the kidneys and is the most common solid cancer in children. The Wilms’ tumor suppressor protein (WT1) is frequently mutated or aberrantly expressed in Wilms’ tumors and also a significant proportion of childhood leukemia’s. WT1 is a zinc-finger transcription factor that is required for the formation of the kidneys, spleen, gonads and several neural tissues. The function of WT1 is highly sensitive to cellular environment and is modulated by interactions with other cellular factors. However, the mechanisms by which WT1 is regulated are poorly understood. We have discovered a transcriptional cosuppressor, BASP1, that interacts with WT1 and modulates its transcriptional activity. The main focus of our research is to investigate the transcriptional cosuppressor activity of BASP1. A variety of techniques are employed, including; analysis in living cells, genome-wide functional assays, and in-vitro mechanistic studies.

Research Project Information

Date Open: Apr 14, 2009 to Apr 25, 2010
Suggested Skill Set: Wilms’ tumor is a pediatric malignancy of the kidneys and is the most common solid cancer in children. The Wilms’ tumor suppressor protein (WT1) is frequently mutated or aberrantly expressed in Wilms’ tumors and also a significant proportion of childhood leukemia’s. WT1 is a zinc-finger transcription factor that is required for the formation of the kidneys, spleen, gonads and several neural tissues. The function of WT1 is highly sensitive to cellular environment and is modulated by interactions with other cellular factors. However, the mechanisms by which WT1 is regulated are poorly understood. We have discovered a transcriptional cosuppressor, BASP1, that interacts with WT1 and modulates its transcriptional activity. The main focus of our research is to investigate the transcriptional cosuppressor activity of BASP1. A variety of techniques are employed, including; analysis in living cells, genome-wide functional assays, and in-vitro mechanistic studies.
Compensation: Credit, Voluntary, Work Study

Faculty / Professor Contact

Professor(s): Stefan Roberts (sr237@buffalo.edu)
Department: Biological Sciences
Address: 625 Cooke
Phone: (645)236-3144
Website: http://biology.buffalo.edu/Faculty/...