Education
B.A. Biology, Reed College
Peace Corps, Kingdom of Tonga
Ph.D. Entomology, University of Arizona
NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University
Courses Taught
Principles of Biology III (BIO 152)
Cell Biology I (BIO 205)
Cell Biology II (BIO 405)
Entomology (BIO 242)
Research Interests
The Edwards Lab is researching the molecular interface between mosquitoes and pathogens that cause human diseases. Using molecular techniques, they are introducing foreign genes into the mosquito genome with the aim of blocking the transmission of LaCrosse Virus, the leading cause of viral pediatric encephalitis in the United States. Antiviral genes have been spliced into a “jumping gene” called PiggyBac, which is capable of inserting itself into mosquito chromosomes. Students gain experience in several recombinant DNA techniques, DNA sequencing and PCR, while being personally involved in a cutting-edge research funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Publications
Edwards MJ, Faivre AE, Crist R, Sitvarin M and Zyla J (2005) Spatial distribution of 2005 Brood-X 17 year periodical cicadas in Pennsylvania. Entomological News, in press.
Moreira LA, Edwards MJ, Adhami F Jasinskiene N, James AA and Jacobs-Lorena, M (2000) Robust gut-specific gene expression in transgenic Aedesaegypti mosquitoes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA). 97(20): 10895-10898.
Edwards MJ, Moskalyk LA, Donelly-Doman M, Vlaskova M, Noriega FG, Walker VK and Jacobs-Lorena M (2000) Characterization of a carboxypeptidase A gene from the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Insect Molec. Biol. 9(1): 33-38
Edwards MJ, Severson DW and Hagedorn HH (1998) Vitelline envelope Vitelline envelope genes of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 28: 915-925. |
2400 Chew St.