Gary Isaacs, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Isaacs graduated from Liberty University in 1999 and received a BS in Biology. After teaching biology and chemistry at the high school level for 3 years, he then attended/received his PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology from Cornell University in 2008 before joining the faculty at his alma mater in January 2009 as the genetics professor. Since that time, he has continued to teach undergraduate and graduate genetics, train undergraduate and PhD researchers, and promote research endeavors through service with the Virginia Academy of Science.

Courses Taught

• BIOL 301 & BIOL 301L – Genetics lecture and lab
• BIOL400 – Biology Seminar
• BIOL 495 – Special Problems in Biology (Directed Research) –
• BIOM503 (MS course) – Human Genetics
• MSCI505 (MA course) – Human Genetics
• BIOM750 – Research Rotation
• BIOM 889/890 – Dissertation Research / Defense

Research Interests

SAS3 Function – Something About Silencing 3 is a predicted histone acetyltransferase (HAT) protein in Cryptococcus neoformans. My group has been doing work to characterize the function and interactions of this protein in vitro. We have purified recombinant protein and produced a custom polyclonal antibody which we are using to determine if this protein is indeed a HAT enzyme and the cofactors needed for its activity.

DNA Methylation Alterations – Epigenetic modifications are both transient and long-lasting chemical marks that can alter gene expression through the modification of histones and DNA directly. Significant crosstalk exists between the post-translational modification of histone proteins and the methylation status of the associated DNA. I am interested in how DNA methylation can change due to dietary and other environmental factors and how this might explain/contribute to our understanding of disease states. Over the years, my group has focused on: 1) the methylation changes that occur to cells with amyloid beta exposure, 2) the dietary effects of folate on the methylation and activation of genes in the brain, and 3) the effects of GLP-1 agonists on the epigenetics of gametes.

Professional Memberships

• Virginia Academy of Science