Steven M. Ackerman

Department of Biology University of Massachusetts-Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125 Phone: (617) 287-6682 Fax: (617) 287-6650 E-mail: steven.ackerman@umb.edu

Education

1973-1978 University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D.,Microbiology Graduate Group

1969-1973 Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York, B.A., Biology

Professional Interests

My research group investigates gene regulation in plants and animals, specifically the initiation event of RNA synthesis. These studies are designed to address the biochemistry of the transcription process and the regulatory mechanisms governing this process. We biochemically purify wheat transcription proteins and use model in vitro transcription systems from plants and animals to characterize plant general transcription proteins by substituting them for their congeneric human protein in a homologous human transcription system, forming a heterologous wheat/human system. The gene(s) for proteins of interest are molecularly cloned for further studies.

We also investigate transcription mechanisms in vivo using transgenic wheat. Our biochemical studies also include wheat chromatin remodeling and its effects on transcription, how activator proteins affect transcription initiation via their interaction with wheat TAFs, and transcript families for the general transcription factors of wheat. These investigations incorporate a wide variety of techniques including tissue culture, protein purification by all the standard chromatographies (LC, HPLC, affinity chromatography, etc.), recombinant DNA technologies (molecular cloning, PCR, blotting, etc.), in vitro assay systems, eucaryotic cell transfection and selection, gel retardation and DNA footprinting, etc.

Experience

1989-present Associate Professor, Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Boston,MA.

1983-1989 Assistant Professor, Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA.

1979-1983 NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Roberto Weinmann, mentor.

1978-1979 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania. John J. Furth, mentor.

1973-1978 NIH trainee for Predoctoral studies, Microbiology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania. John J. Furth, mentor.

Recent Presentations and Abstracts

Ackerman, S., S. Brault, E.A. Davis, J. Ebersole. 1999. Envisaging complex ideas using computer graphics and interactive programs. Presented at the ITC meeting for the University of Massachusetts, 8 April 1999.

Ackerman, S., S. Brault, E.A. Davis, J. Ebersole. 2000. Envisaging Complex Ideas Using Computer Graphics and Interactive Programs. Presented at the ITC meeting for the University of Massachusetts, 21 March 2000.

Zhang, L., M.R. Chase, S. Nelson, E.A. Davis, S.Ackerman. 2001. Molecular cloning of wheat transcription proteins IIB, TAFII58, and TLF. Presented at the 2001 Annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Physiologists. Abstarct 0718.

McAvoy, Susan, S. Ackerman, E.A. Davis. 2001. Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of Wheat with wheat TBP. Presented at the 2001 Annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biology. Abstarct 0731.

Ackerman, S., S. McAvoy, E.A. Davis. 2002. DNA sequence motifs in Plant Promoters. Presented at the 2002 Annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biology. Abstarct 136.