Biology and Molecular Biology

Science Hall 109     (973) 655-4396

dilorenzoa@mail.montclair.edu

Courses Taught

BIOL 112 Principles of Biology I

BIOL 199 Freshman Seminar in Biology

BIOL 380 Genetics

BICL 406 Cell Culture 

BIOL490  Senior Seminar in Biology

GENERAL  RESEARCH   INTEREST: 

The scope of my research interest is focused upon  the study of the effects of  induced stress on in vitro cell and organ culture  systems as an indicator of the effects of stress on the human population.  In  whole animals, the ability to withstand and cope with environmental insult from xenotoxic agents has been seen to diminish with the added insult of either mental or physiological stress.  Cells in culture give indications that “stress environments”   interfere with the normal response of our genetic material to protect us in these conditions.   All studies are done in vitro and eliminate the unnecessary use of whole animals in research. 

 

CURRENT   RESEARCH  PROJECTS:

1) Competitive incorporation calcium and lead into developing chick embryo bones

Embryonic bones of chick embryos are dissected and grown in vitro on organ culture grids under sterile conditions. In one week the bone undergoes many physiological changes resulting final differentiation and elongation. This is comparable to the differentiation and calcification of bone in human children.  This project attempts  to utilize this technique of bone growth in culture to further elucidate the competitive nature of lead in the calcium incorporation into bones. The effects of nutritional stress  is  measured by the ability of developing  bone  to incorporate calcium in the presence of lead competition. 

2) Mutagenic Effects of Lead/ Cadmium  as measured by Micronucleus Assay

Chromosomal damage is measured by the Micronucleus test which shows small broken pieces of chromosomes as small darkly staining particles outside of the normal nucleus. These studies of cytogenetic  mutagenicity look at incorporation lead and/or cadmium as seen as damage to the  chromosomes of replicating mammalian cells.  Confluent  monolayers of cells as well as biopsy  cultures of mammalian  or avian tissue  are studied  in vitro to show both  cell proliferative changes as well as changes in  DNA. I propose to form a research team  interested in both environmental, psychological, and  biological effects of these heavy   metals.

3) Effects of xenobiotic agents on programmed cell death, Apoptosis.  Human fibroblasts and Chinese Hamster Ovary cells are grown in varying amounts of serum 10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1%.  Levels of serum below 10% are generally considered to be increases in physiological stress.  . The mutagenic effects on the DNA of cells will be measured by the new molecular technique of Apoptosis detection by the addition of fluorescent tags to the fragmented ends of chromosomal DNA.

 

TEACHING / LEARNING INTERESTS:

I continue to strive to  bring the  strategies of problem- based learning to our students.  To facilitate this goal I encourage the formation of student teams for research which mirror the diverse student population of our department.  I strive to move research forward, and continue to bring out the potential of not only our finest students, but also those who struggle.  My  continued work with PRISM  ( Professional Renewal in Science and  Math) encourages teachers to  revise and improve curriculum K-12.   This interest in the strategies to  improve Science Education allows me to  continue to  visit schools through the Adopt-A-Professor Program. My teaching and research will continue to use cooperative learning, inquiry and problem  solving strategies to enable students of all  levels  to understand and appreciate the process of science. 

 

PUBLICATIONS

DiLorenzo, A.M., B. Lustigman, M. Correa, and A. Aglione.  1993. Effects of Algae Extracts from New York/New Jersey Coastline, USA on Cultured Mammalian Cells.  Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 51:367-737.

DiLorenzo, A.M., D. Smith, and A. Cultrara. 1997. The Effects of Serum Produced Physiological Stress on Plating Efficiency and Proliferation of Embryonic Rat and Chick Cells. Environmental Mutagenesis 16(1):78.

DiLorenzo, A.M., Dorcellus, C and  Santiago, F.  2002. Influence of environmental Chemicals In in vitro  Culture Systems in Conditions of Stress. Proc. of Amer. Assoc. for Cancer Research, Annua lConference. Toronto

DiLorenzo, A.M. 2003. Industrial Lead Pollution: A Dialog for the Future. The Seventh International   Conference on Global Business and Economic Development. Bangkok.

 DiLorenzo, A.M., C. Burr,S. Spadavecchia, O. Nakhomovich. 2005. Effects of Industrial Lead Pollution: In Vitro Bone Studies.  Urban Dimensions of Environmental Change. Pp88-93, ( Shanghai) , Science Press, USA.