Dr. Jelena Erceg receives R35 MIRA Award to Fund Research on Genome Folding and Regulation

August 16, 2022

Assistant Professor Jelena Erceg (Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS & Institute for Systems Genomics, joint appointment also with the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health) has received a prestigious R35 Maximizing Investigator’s Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). This award will support research in the Erceg Lab on genome folding and regulation over the next 5 years.

The title of the funded project is “Genome Folding and Regulation in Diploid Multicellular Organisms”

About the research and why it is important

MIRA provides support for the research in an investigator’s laboratory that falls within the mission of NIGMS. The goal of MIRA is to increase the efficiency of NIGMS funding by providing investigators with greater stability and flexibility, thereby enhancing scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs. The program will also help distribute funding more widely among the nation’s highly talented and promising investigators.

Rachel O’Neill Receives Funding for Covid-19 Related Research

October 6, 2020

Rachel O’Neill is among five UConn researchers awarded internal funding to support researchers who are using their expertise to find new solutions to address the Covid-10 pandemic The program will award up to $50,000 to recipients.

Dr. Rachel O’Neill was awarded $50,000, Rapid and Ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Wastewater by Smartphone
Co-PIs: Maroun Sfeir, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

See full article in UConn Today

Dr. Rachel O’Neill Inducted Into the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering

March 24, 2020

Rachel J. O’Neill, Institute for Systems Genomics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to be inducted into the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) for 2020. 

According to CASE, election to the Academy is based on the applicant’s scientific and engineering distinction, achieved through significant contributions in the form of publications, patents, outstanding leadership, and other factors. Read full article in UConn Today

Fake Centromeres Make-and Break-a Chromosome

February 26, 2020

The Mellone Lab was featured in UConn Today – UConn cell biologist Barbara Mellone, her student Jason Palladino, and colleagues report in the cover article of the 10 February issue of Developmental Cell that they were able to make fake centromeres that fooled cells into rearranging their chromosomes.  

Developmental Cell Cover Image

Fluorescence images of mitotic cells with de novo centromeres from Drosophila melanogaster larval brains. The chromosomes are stained with DAPI (DNA, magenta) and CENP-C antibodies (kinetochore protein, green) and are shown within the outlines of fruit flies. (Courtesy of Barbara Mellone)
Read article in UConn Today
See cover story at Developmental Cell