Steven M. Shell Email & Phone Number

Wise, Va, Us

Wise, Va, Us

Wise, Virginia, United States

Wise, Virginia, United States

I am a molecular biologist with broad training ranging from cellular biology, biochemistry, and structural biology. My first goal as an educator is to help students develop a firm understanding of the molecular nature of living systems. This goal is reflected in the courses I teach at UVA-Wise, which includes Topics in Cellular Biology, Molecular Genetics, and Developmental Biology. My second goal is to assist students in becoming scientific communicators. As such, reading and critical review of primary scientific literature, preparation of mock-manuscripts, and public presentation of scientific topics play a major role in my curricula. In addition to my classroom activities I am currently establishing an independent research laboratory to continue my investigations of the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA damage repair. A major advantage to being a faculty member at a small liberal arts college is the ability to work directly with undergraduate students, assisting in their exploration of various scientific disciplines, and providing novel frameworks for their growth and development into the next generation of scientists.

Wise, Va

My postdoctoral research focuses on understanding how DNA damage is identified in the human nucleotide excision repair pathway (NER). NER is a versatile repair mechanism capable of removing a wide assortment of chemically unrelated lesions without the need for lesion-specific enzymes. I use a combination of techniques, such as fluorescence spectroscopy and small angle x-ray scattering, to investigate how repair proteins interact with the DNA substrate and with each other.

My graduate research was focused on two major themes. First, I investigated the link between DNA helix destabilization and the damage recognition and repair properties of the E. coli nucleotide excision repair (NER) system, UvrABC. My second focus was on how the DNA damage response kinase ATR modulates NER in human cell via phosphorylation of the XPA protein. In both studies I used a combination of biochemical assays (such as EMSA and fluorescence spectroscopy) and cell-based studies to measure NER activity.

My duties as an RA included the expression and purification of various proteins for biochemical assays such as DNA binding and substrate incision assays. Also, I was responsible for producing 32P-labeled DNA substrates containing specific chemical modifications for NER assays. In addition, I was responsible for acquiring quotes, ordering, and inventorying all chemicals and consumables for our laboratory. Finally, I served as our laboratory liaison to the East Tennessee State University Office of Radiation Safety and the emergency evacuation coordinator for the Biochemistry Department, Stanton-Gerber Hall, First Floor.

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences

Bs, Biological Sciences