Education

B.A. Chemistry and Cellular/Molecular Neuroscience, Macalester College; Ph.D. Biochemistry, Washington University in St. Louis

Areas of Expertise

Cell biology, circadian biology, biochemistry, protein structure/function, and neurobiology

Interests

Travel, reading, cooking, making things, photography, gardening, and science outreach

Karla Marz

Assistant Professor

Biology

My research examines some of the molecular underpinnings of circadian clocks.  These clocks regulate an enormous number of biological functions that occur on an approximately 24-hour, or circadian, cycle.  Circadian cycles of gene expression and other cell activities influence phenomena as diverse as the sleep/wake cycle, the ability to concentrate and remember, efficacy and toxicity of cancer treatments, predator/prey interactions, and the navigation of monarch butterflies as they migrate between northern North America and Mexico.

At their base, circadian rhythms are controlled by a clock mechanism contained within cells, a complex set of transcription/translation feedback loops regulated both post-transcriptionally and post-translationally.  In mammals, two proteins called Cryptochromes, or CRYs, play multiple critical roles.  Students and I in my laboratory are attempting to 1) tease apart the CRYs' roles by defining and examining the importance of specific interactions between CRYs and other proteins, and 2) uncover how CRY gene expression is regulated in different tissues.

Contact Information

Biology
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082

Phone: 507-933-7325
E-mail: kmarz@gustavus.edu

Courses Taught

• Bio Explor Circ Lab
• Bio Explor:Circ Clocks
• Biomolecular Research
• Cell & Molecular w/Lab
• Cell Biology Lab
• Cell Biology w/Lab
• Cell Lab
• Principles Lab

Karla Marz's Schedule