Sherri Evans Bergsten, Associate Professor
Office: FSC144
Phone: (717) 477-3244
Email: seberg@ship.edu
Education
- BS Biology Haverford College 1993
- PhD Molecular Biology Princeton University 2001
Profile
I began teaching at Shippensburg University in 2005. I have a BS in Biology from Haverford College (1993) and a PhD in Molecular Biology from Princeton University (2001). My dissertation research was in the field of developmental genetics, studying the regulation of a gene critical for embryonic patterning in fruit flies. My research interests have expanded, with current projects focused on coordinate regulation of intersecting cellular processes in cancer cells.
Research Interests
Work in my lab broadly focuses on genetic regulation, and the model we use is the process of autophagy in cancer cells. Autophagy is a cellular recycling process that works in concert with lysosomes to degrade and recycle proteins and organelles. Rapid division in cancer cells relies on such recycling, but research has shown that some of the regulators of autophagy also function as tumor suppressors and high levels of autophagy can induce cell death. Studying the coordinate regulation of autophagy with other cellular processes is important to further our understanding of cell survival/cell death decisions and cancer progression.
Courses Taught
- Basic Biology
- Principles of Biology: Cell Structure and Function
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Development
- Honors Seminar: Ethical and Societal Implications of Genetics
Student Research Projects
Recent projects include:
Measuring Autophagic Response to Bacterial Infection of Glioma Cells using Colocalization of GFP-p62 and DsRed-LC3
Evaluation of Coordination between Autophagy and Exosome Release in Glioma Cells
Looking at Linkage Between the Processes of Autophagy and Apoptosis
Impact of Autophagy on Cancer Cell Migration
Studying Mutations in Autophagy Related Genes and the Effect on Cell Division
Effects of Vitamin C and Vitamin D concentrations on Regulation of Autophagy in Glioma Cella
Quantitation of Autophagic Flux through Activation and Inhibition of Autophagy in Glioma Cells that Express GFP-p62 and DsRed-LC3
Comparison of Alternative Atg5 Isoforms on Regulation of Autophagy in Glioma Cells
The Overexpression and Deletion of Atg4b and Atg4c Autophagy Regulated Proteins in Human Glioblastoma Cells
Impact of Beclin-1 Overexpression on Autophagy-Mediated Cell Survival and Cell Death in Glioma Cells
Impact of CRISPR Modification of Endogenous Beclin-1 on Autophagy in Glioma Cells
Combined effects of Atg5 Modulation and Chemical Treatment on Regulation of Autophagy in Glioma Cells
Effects on Autophagy with Respect to Varying Concentrations of Resveratrol Alone and in Conjunction with Chemotherapeutic Agents