King's College - Biology Department

Dr. James A. Slock
Office: P302
E-mail: jaslock@kings.edu
Web-site: http://departments.kings.edu/biology/lux/
Phone: 570-208-5900 Ext. 5724

Education:

University of Iowa;B.S.,M.S.,Ph.D.

Specialties:

Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry

Research:

Dr.Slock is conducting research on gene regulation using the model system of luxR gene regulation of bioluminescence in the marine bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Through mutagenesis studies, Slock identified two regulatory domains of the luxR protein. The luxR gene regulation system was named "quorum sensing". Dr. Slock latest research invovles mRNA differential display for the discovery of novel genes.

Publications:

Slock JA, Farrugia PM, Horn TA, Phillips JA, Smedley JT, and Romanko MJ. A series of laboratory exercises utilizing gene of Vibrio fischeri and gfp gene of Aequoria victoria to teach the broad applications of polymerase chain reaction. Journal of Industrial Micorbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 345-352.

Professional Societies:

American Society for Microbiology, American Association for the Advancement of Science

Professional Activities:

Representative on the University of Scranton Institution Biosafety Committee.
Member of Lackawanna College's Biotechnology Advisory group.
Supervisor of Undergraduate Research
Academic Advisor for Biology Majors

Courses Taught:

Biol 224 Biochemistry,Biol 450 DNA Science, Biol 451 RNA Science

Additional Information:

From Dr. Slock's research on bacterial bioluminesence, he has developed a series of laboratory exercises that utilize the current methods of recombinant DNA technology. These include: directional cloning, site directed mutagenesis, protein fusions, RT-PCR, DDRT-PCR,and transposon mutagenesis. These experiments can be accessed on his web page, http://departments.kings.edu/biology/lux/