Ronald E. McNair Program


Danesha Williams
 Name: Danesha Williams
School: Alcorn State University
Major: Biochemistry/Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Michael C. Mossing
Expected Graduation Date: May 2008 
Organizations & Honors: 
• Ronald E. McNair Scholar
• Honor Society Organization  
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 
• Chem Club 
• Dean’s List 
• Who’s Who Among College Students 
• College Democrats of America 
• Math and Computer Science Club 
• Alcorn State Gospel Choir 
• ASU Intramural Basketball 
E-MAIL: danesha2004@yahoo.com 

COMMENTS:
This has been an enriching experience. I have a new outlook on my major, along with new, life-long friends. The time spent in this program was well worth it!
 

 

ABSTRACT

Measuring the Dynamics of Gene Expression in Bacteria


It is estimated that by the year 2020, computer-generated biological systems will be available, making it possible to simulate and predict outcomes of an experiment without actually performing it.1 But before these systems can be created, the kinetics of a particular system must be first understood.  

 
One of the most studied gene-regulatory systems is that of bacteriophage λ. Phage λ has two distinct phases of gene expression marked by a "switch" from one to the other.4 This study focuses on the dynamics of cro, one of the regulatory proteins in phage λ, in Escherichia coli. It was discoverd that cro, which must form dimers, still acts on fluorescence at about the same time as scCro, although this protein does not need to dimerize.