Dr. Laura Arce, Biological Science

Biography

Dr. Arce investigates the regulation of gene expression of photosynthetic genes in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Dr. Arce also is involved in the NIH-funded MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers Program), which offers students an inclusive experience that leads to acceptance into PhD programs and biomedical related research careers. She now directs the Research Careers Preparatory (RCP) program.

Degrees

  • Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California Dissertation Title: Functional & expression studies of negative regulation by LEF/TCFs

  • B.S., cum laude, in Biological Science, California State University Fullerton Undergraduate Thesis Title:  Characterization of nuclear-encoded genes whose proteins regulate the translation of the Chloroplast encoded psbA mRNA

  • Fullerton College, Fullerton, California A.A. in Liberal Arts

Publications

  1. Kato M, Arce L , Wang M, Putta S, Lanting L, Natarajan R. A microRNA circuit mediates transforming growth factor-β1 autoregulation in renal glomerular mesangial cells Kidney Int. 2011 Aug;80(4):358-68.

  2. Najdi, R.,  A. Syed,  L. Arce ,  H. Theisen,  J.T. Ting,  F. Atcha,  A.V. Nguyen,  M. Martinez,  R.F. Holcombe,  R.A. Edwards,  J.L. Marsh,  M.L. Waterman.  2009.  A Wnt-kinase network alters nuclear localization of TCF-1 in colon cancer.  Oncogene, 2009 Nov 26;28(47):4133-46.

  3. Mitsuo Kato, Laura Arce and Rama Natarajan Micro RNAs and Their Role in Progressive Kidney Diseases. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Jul;4(7):1255-66.

  4.   Arce L., K. T. Pate, M.L. Waterman. 2009.  Groucho recognizes a peptide motif in LEF-1 for HDAC-dependent repression in a subset of colon cancers.  BMC Cancer 2009, 9:159.

  5.  Arce L, Yokoyama NN, Waterman ML. Diversity of LEF/TCF action in development and disease. Oncogene. 2006 Dec 4;25(57):7492-504.

Grants & Special Projects

Extramural Grants and Awards

  • Minority Access to Research Careers Graduate Fellowship
  • Postdoctoral Supplementary Research Fellowship
  • American Heart Minority Mentee Award

Intramural Grants and Awards

  • CSU State Special Fund Program mini-grant. Project Title: Identification and Characterization of a novel phytochrome-like protein in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.  2012 (Awarded: $5000).