Eric Muller, PhD

Assistant Professor
Phone: (914) 633-2303
Fax: (914) 633-2240

PhD, Johns Hopkins University, 2003
BS, The College of New Jersey, 1996
Dr. Eric Muller's primary interests are in understanding how cells translate environmental information into signals that result in successful morphogenesis (shape change) and a change in cellular polarity (which direction the cell is pointing). In order to study this the lab uses the simple eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast). In yeast, when cells mate they secrete small peptide pheromones which result ultimately in alterations in gene transcription, arrest of the cell cycle, and finally a change in shape. In addition, during these events extracellular calcium enters the cell and is potentially required to permit the "male" and "female" cells to fuse together (similarly to sperm and egg fusion). Using a combination of genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology the lab will attempt to further delineate the role of calcium in fusion and during mating signaling in general, as well as to further understand the events that lead to polarity changes. Because of the wide use of calcium signaling in higher cells, these studies have the potential to lead to better understanding of processes that impact human health.