Washington College Faculty
Mindy Reynolds
Assistant Professor of Biology
E-mail: mreynolds2@washcoll.edu
Phone: (800) 422-1782, ext 7876
Office: Toll Science S118
Education
- B.A., Wheaton College, 2001
- Ph.D., Brown University, 2006
Courses Taught
- General Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Office Hours
Tuesday and Wednesday, 2:30-4, or just drop by
Research Interests
Chronic exposure to metal compounds, such as nickel(II) and chromium(VI), has long been known to increase cancer incidence among affected individuals. Unlike organic waste, metals are not degraded by living organisms and may accumulate up to harmful levels. The mechanisms of cancer induction by these compounds are not well understood, but recent research shows a multifaceted pattern of metal interactions with cellular macromolecules and genetic processes. My research is focused on understanding the role of DNA repair and DNA damage surveillance mechanisms following exposure to metal compounds. In order to understand these processes, we use molecular and genetic approaches in a human cell culture model. Altogether, our improved understanding of the complex interactions between DNA and DNA response mechanisms following metal exposure will enhance our knowledge in the development of cancer.
Publications
- Reynolds M, Peterson-Roth EC, Baspalov IA, Johnston A, Gurel V, Menard H, Zhitkovich A. Rapid DNA double strand breaks resulting from processing of Cr-DNA crosslinks by both MutS dimers. Cancer Res. 2009 Feb 1;69(3):1071-9.
- Reynolds M, Zhitkovich A. Cellular vitamin C increases chromate toxicity via a death program requiring mismatch repair but not p53. Carcinogenesis. 2007 Jul;28(7):1613-20.
- Reynolds M, Stoddard L, Bespalov I, Zhitkovich A. Ascorbate acts as a highly potent inducer of chromate mutagenesis and clastogenesis: linkage to DNA breaks in G2 phase by mismatch repair. Nucleic Acids Res. 2007; 35(2):465-76.
- Messer J, Reynolds M, Stoddard L, Zhitkovich A. Causes of DNA single-strand breaks during reduction of chromate by glutathione in vitro and in cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2006 Jun 1;40(11):1981-92. Epub 2006 Feb 20.
- Karaczyn A, Ivan S, Reynolds M, Zhitkovich A, Kasprzak KS, Salnikow K. Ascorbate depletion mediates up-regulation of hypoxia-associated proteins by cell density and nickel. J Cell Biochem. 2006 Apr 1;97(5):1025-35.
- Peterson-Roth E, Reynolds M, Quievryn G, Zhitkovich A. Mismatch repair proteins are activators of toxic responses to chromium-DNA damage. Mol Cell Biol. 2005 May;25(9):3596-607.
- Reynolds M, Peterson E, Quievryn G, Zhitkovich A. Human nucleotide excision repair efficiently removes chromium-DNA phosphate adducts and protects cells against chromate toxicity. J Biol Chem. 2004 Jul 16;279(29):30419-24. Epub 2004 Apr 15.