Biology Faculty Profiles

Cynthia M. Bauerle, Ph.D.

E-mail: cbauerle@spelman.edu

Title: Professor and Department Chair

Spelman: 2005

Degree(s) & Year Awarded:

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, 1990,
University of Wisconsin-Madison

B.A. in Biology, 1984
University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Course(s) Taught:
Cell and Molecular Biology, Senior Seminar

Selected Publications:

Martin, P, Muruke, M, Hosea, K, Kivaisi, A, Zerwas, N, and Bauerle, C. 2004. A rapid PCR-RFLP method for monitoring genetic variation among commercial mushroom species, J Biochem Mol Biol Ed.

Bauerle, C, Magembe, C, and Briskin, D. 1998. Characterization of a red beet protein homologous to the essential Vma6p subunit of the yeast V-ATPase, Plant Physiology 117:859-867.

Bauerle, C, Ho, MN, Linddorfer, MA, and Stevens, TH 1993. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae VMA6 gene encodes the 36-kDa subunit of the vacuolar H +-ATPase membrane sector. J Biol Chem 268: 12749-12757.

Current Grant Support:

Director, Spelman College Undergraduate Science Education Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2004-2008

Related interests/organizations:

SGD (Saccharomyces Genome Database)
URL: http://www.yeastgenome.org/

Faculty Resource Network
URL: http://www.nyu.edu/frn/

Howard Hughes Medical Institute
URL: http://www.hhmi.org/

Research Interests:

Cell homeostasis is the constant monitoring and regulating of intracellular conditions to support normal growth and metabolism of an organism. One of the most important aspects of cell regulation is maintaining proper intracellular pH. In the model eukaryotic organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pH homeostasis is maintained by enzymes and pumps collectively known as the pH homeostat. We can use molecular genomics techniques to identify key components of the pH homeostat. One player is the ancient and ubiquitous V-type ATPase, an enzyme that maintains cytoplasmic pH. We are studying the role of V-ATPase in mutant yeast strains that are defective in proper pH regulation.