People
Sarjeet Gill
Mailing Address:
Cell Biology and NeuroscienceBiological Sciences /3117
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521
Phone: (951) 827-4621
Fax: (951) 827-3087
Email: sarjeet.gill@ucr.edu
Website
Degree(s):
PhD 1973 University of California, BerkeleyBSc 1969 McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
College/Division Affiliation:
College of Natural and Agricultural SciencesCenter/Inst Affiliation(s):
Center for Disease Vector ResearchAreas Of Expertise:
Mosquito Genomics; Ion TransportAwards / Honors:
2005 Ted Hopkins Lecturer, Kansas State University2003 AAAS Fellow (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
2003 Paul Dahm Memorial Lecturer in Insecticide Toxicology, Iowa State Universide
1967 MacDonald Medal, McGill University
1966-69 Colombo Plan Scholar
Research Summary:
Mechanisms of Toxicity and Membrane TransportThe lab has three principal research areas all utilizing a cellular and molecular approach to elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity and cell membrane transport. The focus of the first area is to elucidate the mode of action of toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis and Clostridium bifermantans. The research aims to gain a molecular understanding of the characteristics of these toxins and how they interact with cellular targets, which result in a disruption of ion regulation and lethality. Current research projects include the elucidation of structure and function relationships of these bacterial toxins; toxin receptor isolation and an attempt to define how these receptors modulate in vivo toxicity.
A second research focus is on insect cell membrane transport, and how toxins affect this function. Currently, the laboratory is characterizing ion and amino acid transporters. The lab is focusing on the Na+/H+ exchangers that play a key role in transport of high salt load on mosquitoes following a blood meal. Studies include functional analysis and regulation of these exchangers in the mosquito Malpighian tubules. In conjunction with this effort the lab is also characterizing transport processes involved in nutrient uptake following a blood meal, and the regulation of such transport.
Finally, the lab has a long ongoing interest in xenobiotic metabolism and characterization of the effects of environmental toxicants on mammalian systems. This molecular toxicology emphasis defines how toxicants regulate the expression of the soluble epoxide hydrolase and fatty acid metabolism.