Molecular Cytogenetics and Genomics Laboratory
PEOPLE
Dr. Bhanu Chowdhary, PI, Associate Dean
for Research and Professor
Dr. Chowdhary's research interests include cytogenetics, gene
mapping, functional and structural chromosomal analysis, and
genetic basis of diseases and phenotypes. He has developed
extensive collaborations with other groups, and together with Dr.
Raudsepp started the Molecular Cytogenetics and Genomics Laboratory
at Texas A&M University. In 2009, he became the Associate Dean
for Research at CVM, and one of his primary goals is to ensure
Texas A&M remains at the forefront of scientific
institutions.
Dr. Raudsepp is primarily interested in genome organization and
evolution, construction of physical maps, study of functional
profiles of individual genes and their association with inherited
disorders and fertility problems. She is applying diverse
approaches to study inherited disorders and fertility in horses, as
well as various phenotypes. In addition, by examining other
domestic and wild species, including cattle, pig, dog, cat, zebras,
giraffe, California condor, important information can be obtained
on the overall organization and evolution of genomes. Dr. Raudsepp
is also focusing on the evolutionary dynamics of sex chromosomes,
particularly the Pseudoautosomal Region (PAR) of the X and Y, and
the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY).
Dr. Janecka's research interests include population and
conservation genetics, phylogenetics, evolutionary genomics, and
wildlife ecology. He uses approaches including sequencing of
nuclear and mtDNA loci, and microsatellite genotyping, to
understand the dynamics of populations in species such as ocelots
and bobcats. He is also interested in the application of targeted
next-generation sequencing to wildlife research. Currently, his
main focus is on snow leopard genetics and conservation, and how
this species has adapted to high altitude and the sequence and
annotation of the horse Y chromosome. Dr. Janecka is also
interested in the influence paleoecological events have on
mammalian diversification, and the potential role microbial gut
flora may play during the development of laminitis in horses.
Dr. Steelman's research is focused on inflammation in horses
with acute and chronic laminitis. She is currently using several
different strategies, including an equine-specific gene expression
microarray, pyrosequencing of the gut bacterial metagenome, and
serum proteomics and metabolomics, to identify networks and
pathways involved in the development of acute laminitis and
potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Dr. Steelman is
also exploring the potential of neutraceuticals to limit pain and
inflammation and promote healthy hoof growth in chronic
laminitis.
Students
Felipe Avila, PhD Candidate
Felipe is primarily interested in the chromosomal structure of
camelids, particularly the alpaca. He is focusing on developing a
comprehensive cytogenetic map for the alpaca that integrates genome
sequence data with physical chromosome information and locations of
various candidate genes. This study will lay the foundation for
research on genetic contributions to traits of economic and
biological importance in different camelid species. He is also
interested in general chromosome evolution and chromosomal
abnormalities that affect the health of different species of
camelids.
Sharmila Ghosh, PhD Student
Sharmila's research interests focus on optimizing a custom
equine whole genome tiling array and applying it to characterize
large-scale structural variation among diverse horse breeds. She
will also use this novel tool to examine whether resistance and
susceptibility to Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) is associated
with copy number variation and structural rearrangements in horses.
Sharmila is also interested in the evolution of chromosomal
structure across diverse animal species.
Alex Trott, PhD Student
Alex is a first year graduate student in the Genetics program.
She is interested in the influence of Y chromosome genes on equine
fertility.
Daisy Johnson, M.S. Student
Daisy is a first year Master's student in Biomedical Science.
Her project focuses on the role of apolipoprotein A4 in
inflammation and metabolism.
Emilee Larkin, Vet Student (class of 2016)
Emilee is primary interested in the conservation and evolution
of big cats. She is currently working on a research project
examining candidate genes that may play a role in the coat color
patterns of tigers. Emilee is also assisting with the establishment
of an equine tissue sample collection.
Undergraduate Students
Amy Jackson
Sara Carney
Aaron Wang
Recent Former Lab Members
Dr. Pranab Das
Dr. Nandina Paria
Yvette Halley (currently a PhD student in Genetics, TAMU)
