Esther Chen, Ph.D.

Professor of Biological Science

Office: MH-224C, Lab: DBH-121

Phone: 657-278-2543

Email: echen@fullerton.edu

Dr. Chen earned a B.S./M.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University, conducting thesis research in immunology. She completed her Ph.D. in Biology at M.I.T. studying yeast cell biology and genetics. Dr. Chen then trained as a post-doctoral scholar at Stanford University, studying the molecular biology of a beneficial bacteria-plant symbiosis. Dr. Chen joined the faculty at CSUF in 2006. Her research lab at CSUF investigates bacterial genes involved in symbiosis and welcomes students interested in Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology.

Research Interests

The Chen lab uses molecular genetic techniques to investigate a bacterial signaling pathway that is critical for establishing a successful symbiosis. Please email echen@fullerton.edu if interested.

Fun Facts

Dr. Chen was a pre-med undergraduate when she discovered a love for working in the research lab and being a scientist. Dr. Chen loves studying microbes in the lab because microbes have a huge impact on all life but are more streamlined than other organisms. Her favorite microbes are Sinorhizobium meliloti and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Publications

(^CSUF student, *Corresponding author)

Ratib, N.R.^, Sabio, E.Y.^, Mendoza, C.^, Barnett, M.J., Clover, S.B.^, Ortega, J.A.^, Dela Cruz, F.M.^, Balderas, D.^, White, H.^, Long, S.R., and Chen, E.J.*  (2018). Genome-wide identification of direct transcriptional targets of ChvI and a consensus sequence for ChvI binding in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Mol Microbiol, 110, 596-615. doi: 10.1111/mmi.14119. PMID: 30192418; PMCID: PMC6343485

Arnold, M.F.F., Penterman, J., Shabab, M., Chen, E.J., and Walker, G.C.* (2018). Important late stage symbiotic role of the Sinorhizobium meliloti exopolysaccharide succinoglycan. J Bacteriol, 200, e00665-18, doi: 10.1128/JB.00665-17. PMID: 29632097;  PMCID: PMC5996692

Fields, A.T., Navarrete, C.S., Zare, A.Z., Huang, Z., Mostafavi, M., Lewis, J.C., Rezaeihaghighi, Y., Brezler, B.J., Ray, S.,^ Rizzacasa, A.L.,^ Barnett, M.J., Long, S.R., Chen, E.J., and Chen, J.C.*  (2012) The conserved polarity factor PodJ1 impacts multiple cell envelope-associated functions in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Mol Microbiol, 84, 892-920. PMID: 22553970;  PMCID: PMC3359409

Chen, E. J .*, Fisher, R.F., Perovich, V.M.^, Sabio, E.A.^, and Long, S.R. (2009).  Identification of direct transcriptional target genes of ExoS/ChvI two-component signaling in Sinorhizobium meliloti. J Bacteriol, 191, 6833-6842. PMID: 19749054;  PMCID: PMC2772461

Chen, E.J .*, Sabio, E.A.^, and Long, S.R. (2008). The periplasmic regulator ExoR inhibits ExoS/ChvI two-component signalling in Sinorhizobium meliloti.  Mol Microbiol, 69, 1290-1303. PMID: 18631237;  PMCID: PMC2652646

Wells, D.H., Chen, E.J., Fisher, R.F., and Long, S.R. (2007).  ExoR is genetically coupled to the ExoS-ChvI two-component system and located in the periplasm of Sinorhizobium meliloti. Mol Microbiol, 64, 647-664. PMID: 17462014