Gerald Nora

Contact Information:
154.8, 100 Technology Dr.
Email: gjnst3@pitt.edu

Education
University of Pittsburgh, Molecular biology and physics, 4/02; BA, Philosophy, 4/02.

Awards
Travel Awardee, Molecular and Clinical Mechanisms in Bloom's Syndrome and Related Disorders, 2008.

Poster Presentations
Nora, GJ, MV Fagerburg, S Leuba, G Sowd, and PL Opresko. /Modulation of Alternative Structures in Telomeric DNA by WRN Helicase and POT1 Protein/. 9th Annual Midwest DNA Repair Conference, 2007.

Nora, GJ, G Sowd, and PL Opresko. /Multiplex Analysis of TRF2 Modulation of WRN Helicase/Exonuclease Dissocation of Holliday Junction DNA/. 10th Annual Midwest DNA Repair Conference, 2008.

Nora, GJ, G Sowd, and PL Opresko. /Multiplex Analysis of TRF2 Modulation of WRN Helicase/Exonuclease Dissocation of Holliday Junction DNA/. Molecular and Clinical Mechanisms in Bloom's Syndrome and Related Disorders, 2008.

Research:
I am studying the regulation of alternative DNA structures (Holliday Junctions and G-Quadruplexes) in human telomeres by the WRN helicase/exonuclease and the POT1 and TRF2 DNA-binding proteins. In conjunction with our collaborators, we are using an array of biophysical methods, such as single molecule Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and computer modeling, as well as more traditional molecular biology assays. Our work address how the cell maintains stable chromosomes and how dysfunction in telomere regulation can lead to cancer and/or contribute to aging phenotypes.

As an MD/PhD student, I am interested in developing biophysical methods to address clinical topics in neural degeneration and aging.

PhD Advisor:
Patricia Opresko, PhD, Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health.