Cara Constance, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
213 Colton Hall
330.569.5263
Education
Hiram College (Biology), B.A.
University of Virginia (Charlottesville) (Biology), Ph.D.
University of Virginia (Charlottesville) (Biology), Post Doctoral Fellow
Professional Appointments
Hiram College:
- Assistant Professor of Biology 2008 - present
College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA):
- Assistant Professor of Biology 2003 - 2008
University of Virginia (Charlottesville):
- Postdoctoral Fellow and Instructor (Biology) 2001 - 2003
Courses Taught
Molecular and Celular Biology
Human Genetics
Research Interests
My research focuses on understanding the molecular basis of biological rhythms. Virtually all organisms have adapted to life on earth by having an internal timer that controls rhythmic behavioral, biochemical, and physiological processes, and confers a circadian period of about a day. My primary research interest is to determine how the molecules that comprise the central clock mechanism ultimately lead to regulation of rhythmic behaviors.
The model system that I use in my research is the frog, Xenopus tropicalis, an organism that has recently been adopted for genetic approaches. To address my research questions, I employ molecular genetic and bioinformatics techniques (database searches, sequence analysis, PCR, mutagenesis, subcloning, Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization), Xenopus transgenesis (introduction of transgenes into animals; animal husbandry; genotyping) and I am currently developing a behavioral assay in order to monitor the effects of the transgenes that are introduced in the animal on circadian locomotor activity of tadpoles and adult animals. These techniques include a broad spectrum of approaches, from the study of molecules to analysis of the whole organism, and may be of interest to students who have an interest in cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and/or cellular and molecular neurobiology.
Students who are potentially interested in pursuing a research project in my laboratory may contact me to learn more about my research.
Selected Publications
- Constance C.M., Fan J-Y, Preuss F., Green C.B., Price J.L. (2005) The circadian clock-containing photoreceptor cells in Xenopus laevis express several isoforms of casein kinase I. Brain Res. Mol. Brain Res. May 20;136(1-2):199-211. Download PDF
- Constance, C.M., Green, C.B., Tei, H., and Block, G.D. (2002) Bulla gouldiana period Exhibits Unique Regulation at the mRNA and Protein Levels. J Biol. Rhythms 17 (5) 413-427. Download PDF
- Constance, C.M., Morgan IV, J. I., and Umek, R.M. (1996) C/EBPa Regulation of the Growth-Arrest-Associated Gene gadd45. Mol. Cell Biol. 16, 3878-3883. Download PDF
- Shugart, E.C., Levenson, A.S., Constance, C.M., and Umek, R.M. (1995) Differential Expression of gas and gadd Genes at Distinct Growth Arrest Points during Adipocyte Development. Cell Growth and Differentiation 6, 1541-1547. Download PDF