Faculty
Biological Sciences has more than 60 full-time faculty members, as well as more than 20 faculty with joint appointments and 15 visiting or adjunct professors. Among its many distinctions and honors, the Ph.D. program faculty includes two members of the National Academy of Sciences, four members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 18 holders of endowed chairs and professorships.
Oscar AparicioAssociate Professor of Biological Sciences Contact Information Office: RRI 219B Phone: (213) 821-1269 E-mail: oaparici@usc.edu |
Education
- B.S. Microbiology, University of Florida, 5/1987
- Ph.D. Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, University of Chicago, 12/1993
Postdoctoral Training
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 11/01/1994-08/31/1999
Academic Appointment, Affiliation, and Employment History
Tenure Track Appointments
- Associate Professor, University of Southern California, 05/01/2005-
- Assistant Professor, University of Southern California, 09/01/1999-05/01/2005
PostDoctoral Appointments
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 11/01/1994-08/31/1999
Other Employment
- Congressional Science Fellow, American Society for Microbiology, 09/01/1993-08/31/1994
Description of Research
Summary Statement of Research Interests
Professor Aparicio's research is focused on three related topics: (1) regulation of chromosomal DNA replication and the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells; (2) the role of cell cycle checkpoints in monitoring the integrity of chromosomal DNA replication and linking replication to cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and mitosis; (3) the influence of higher order chromatin structures/modifications (e.g.: heterochromatin) on the activity, timing, or replication origin activation during S phase.
Aparicio employs a combination of molecular genetic, biochemical, physiological, and genomic methods in his studies. A full understanding of these mechanisms will provide important insights into the regulation of gene expression and organismal development under normal circumstances and the development of cancer when these processes go awry.
Research Keywords
DNA replication, DNA repair, chromatin, checkpoints, cell cycle, replication origins, replication forks, budding yeast, S. cerevisiae, genome
Research Specialties
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, DNA replication, Genetics, S. cerevisiae
Affiliations with Research Centers, Labs, and Other Institutions
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center,http://ccnt.hsc.usc.edu/