UC Davis experts: Genetic studies of animals

The following UC Davis faculty members are available to discuss issues related to the genetic studie of animals.

Marylynn Barkley
Associate professor of neurobiology, physiology and behavior
(530) 752-8389
msbarkley@ucdavis.edu
Interested in genes that control interactions between hormones and the immune system, particularly during reproductive cycles and pregnancy.

Stephen W. Barthold
Director, Center for Comparative Medicine
(530) 752-7913
swbarthold@ucdavis.edu
Also directs UC Davis Mouse Biology Program, which facilitates campus research involving genetically engineered mice. Can speak to issues related to propagation, welfare and maintenance of transgenic mice for biomedical research. Personal research focuses on infectious-disease mechanisms.

Walter Boyce
Professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology
(530) 752-1401
wmboyce@ucdavis.edu
Uses DNA in fecal samples to identify individual mountain lions preying on endangered desert bighorn sheep in Southern California. Has used DNA methods to study mountain lions in the eastern U.S. and near hiking trails in national parks. Also uses molecular methods to study ecology of bighorn sheep and parasites of wildlife.

Kenneth Burtis
Professor of genetics
(530) 752-4188
kcburtis@ucdavis.edu
Uses the fruitfly Drosophila to study DNA repair genes. Some Drosophila DNA repair genes are very similar to those implicated in human diseases. Collaborated on analysis of the Drosophila genome.

Mary Delany
Associate professor of animal science
(530) 754-9343
medelany@ucdavis.edu/
Researching repetitive regions in the avian genome that regulate development and growth, disease susceptibility and life span. Specifically interested in ribosomal DNA and telomere array sequences and the role of "background" genes in cancer.

Dennis Hedgecock
Geneticist, Bodega Marine Laboratory
(707) 875-2075
dehedgecock@ucdavis.edu
Uses genetic mapping and functional genomics to study genetic basis of hybrid vigor in oysters. Also developed tools to identify different runs of chinook salmon in the Sacramento River and Central Valley, which can be used to study salmon population health and improve breeding stocks.

Charles Langley
Professor of evolution and ecology
(530) 752-4085
chlangley@ucdavis.edu
Uses DNA markers to study population biology and evolution at the molecular level in the fruitfly, Drosophila.

Bernie May
Adjunct professor and director, Genomic Variation Laboratory
(530) 754-8123
bpmay@ucdavis.edu/
Studies genomic variation in natural populations of fish, fungi, birds, mammals, plants and invertebrates. Uses molecular genetics to identify different stocks within a population. Also interested in effects of toxins on gene pools of natural populations.

Anita Oberbauer
Professor of animal science
(530) 752-4997
amoberbauer@ucdavis.edu
Studies genetic influence on skeletal size and body composition, and the genetic basis for health disorders in dogs. Uses transgenic mice to study effects of elevated levels of growth hormone. Also looks for molecular markers for various heritable diseases in dogs.

Kathryn Radke
Associate professor of animal science
(530) 752-9025
klradke@ucdavis.edu
Studies gene expression of retroviruses and their related diseases. Research involves cancer-causing retroviruses of domestic animals and immunodeficiency viruses in primates.

Lesilee Rose
Assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology
(530) 754-9884
lsrose@ucdavis.edu
Studies genes that control development of the soil roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.

H. Bradley Shaffer
Professor of evolution and ecology
(530) 752-9399
hbshaffer@ucdavis.edu
Uses genetic mapping to study rare and endangered species, especially reptiles and amphibians, and how they are threatened by interbreeding with related species. Has advised state and federal agencies on conservation of species such as tiger salamander.

David Glenn Smith
Professor of anthropology
(530) 752-6343
dgsmith@ucdavis.edu
Developed DNA-based tests for parentage, inbreeding and genetic diversity in colonies of research primates. Provides DNA testing service for primate facilities funded by National Institutes of Health. Also has expertise in extracting "ancient" DNA from archaeological finds; uses human genetic mapping to study origins and diversity of Native American peoples.

Media contact

• Andy Fell, News Service, (530) 752-4533, ahfell@ucdavis.edu
• Patricia Bailey, News Service, (530) 752-9843, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu
• Sylvia Wright, News Service, (530) 752-7704, swright@ucdavis.edu
• Claudia Morain, News Service, (530) 752-9841, cmmorain@ucdavis.edu

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