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.
John PetruskaProfessor of Biological Sciences Contact Information Office: RRI 119B Phone: (213) 740-5189 E-mail: petruska@molbio.usc.edu |
Education
- Ph.D. , University of Chicago, 1/1962
Description of Research
Summary Statement of Research Interests
Professor Petruska's research interests include DNA methylation, mutagenesis and evolution. His research investigates the mechanisms of mutation "hot" and "cold" spots in relation to evolution. He examines nearest-neighbor influences on point mutations arising through DNA polymerases and DNA methylases. Professor Petruska is currently investigating the consequences of CG replacements by TG or CA and their suppression.
Publications
Other
- Petruska, J. A. Hartenstine MJ, Goodman MF, Petruska J. Weak strand displacement activity enables human DNA polymerase beta to expand CAG/CTG triplet repeats at strand breaks. J Biol Chem. 2002. Nov 1;277(44):41379-89.
- Petruska, J. A. Hartenstine MJ, Goodman MF, Petruska J. Base stacking and even/odd behavior of hairpin loops in DNA triplet repeat slippage and expansion with DNA polymerase. J Biol Chem. 2000 Jun 16;275(24):18382-90.
- Petruska, J. A. Petruska J, Arnheim N, Goodman MF. Stability of intrastrand hairpin structures formed by the CAG/CTG class of DNA triplet repeats associated with neurological diseases. Nucleic Acids Res. [ 1996 ] Jun 1;24(11):1992-8.