Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology Research Program

The Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology Research Program focuses on basic biological processes that control cell growth and cell division. Researchers within this program use cutting-edge technologies in molecular biology, genetics, and advanced microscopy to investigate the factors that regulate genome stability in experimental systems such as budding yeast, Xenopus laevis, mouse,  zebrafish, and cultured mammalian cells.

The contributions made by members of CCCB in illuminating the normal pathways of cell division and the malfunctions that lead to chromosome abnormalities have important implications for human diseases including birth defects and cancer.

The members of CCCB place strong emphasis on research training of students and postdoctoral fellows.

The overall goals of the Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology Research Program at OMRF are twofold. The first is to advance research into fundamental and translational science that will further basic understanding of organismal, cell, and molecular biology and will enhance human health. The second is to promote the development of the most creative minds to become the next generation of scientists. Both of these goals are best achieved when diverse members contribute, when participants at all educational levels and all backgrounds are appreciated, and when all individuals feel safe, valued, and fully respected.

Within the Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology Research Program, we will:

• Refuse to tolerate discrimination or harassment for any reason (including but not limited to race, sex, appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, or diverse physical and neurological traits).​
• Use kindness and patience when communicating within and outside the department.
• Maintain a wholly professional, non-demeaning, and friendly environment.​
• Always provide criticism and feedback in a constructive, positive manner.
• Ensure that all our discussions are fully inclusive. We will make certain that all individuals have the opportunity to express their views. We will refuse to permit individuals to dominate the conversation or talk over others.
• Create goals and timelines and objectively assess progress within the program for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Diversity: Diversity is an essential asset to the department and allows us to benefit from the unique experiences of all department members. These experiences may lead to differences in opinion, belief, or outlook, but we are determined that these differences will not compromise our environment of mutual respect. As a scientific organization, our discussions will be data-driven and follow scientific reasoning. The Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology Research Program enthusiastically encourages individuals from historically marginalized communities and from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to join us.

Equity: Our department values input from members at all levels, including students at all stages of their careers, technicians and other support staff, postdoctoral trainees, and faculty at all levels. We ensure equitable access for department members at all levels to all training, educational, and research opportunities in the department. We will not tolerate discrimination for any reason.

Inclusion: The department will be a welcoming environment for members at all levels. We welcome new members and visiting researchers and share with them our expertise, protocols, and equipment. We will not tolerate harassment of any kind.

Anyone feeling uncomfortable for any reason should contact Dr. Gary Gorbsky, Program Chair, at the earliest opportunity. If Dr. Gorbsky is the cause for concern, please contact OMRF HR (Human_Resources@omrf.org, 405-271-7430, E-203) or OMRF Vice President of HR (courtney-stevens@omrf.org, 405-271-7434, E-205).

We realize that differences that make us better as a group can occasionally lead to misunderstandings. These problems are most efficiently resolved by open communication, frank discussion and mutual respect.

2023

Jevitt AM, Rankin BD, Chen J, Rankin S. The cohesin modifier ESCO2 is stable during DNA replication. Chromosome Res 31:6, 2023 January, PMID: 36708487, PMCID: PMC9884251

2022

Finn EH, Misteli T. Nuclear position modulates long-range chromatin interactions. PLoS Genet 18:e1010451, 2022 October, PMID: 36206323, PMCID: PMC9581366

de Castro RO, Previato de Almeida L, Carbajal A, Gryniuk I, Pezza RJ. PBAF chromatin remodeler complexes that mediate meiotic transitions in mouse. Development 149, 2022 September, PMID: 36111709, PMCID: PMC9573785

Gorbsky GJ, Daum JR, Sapkota H, Summala K, Yoshida H, Georgescu C, Wren JD, Peshkin L, Horb ME. Developing immortal cell lines from Xenopus embryos, four novel cell lines derived from Xenopus tropicalis. Open Biol 12:220089, 2022 July, PMID: 35857907, PMCID: PMC9256088

DuBose CO, Daum JR, Sansam CL, Gorbsky GJ. Dynamic Features of Chromosomal Instability during Culture of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 13, 2022 June, PMID: 35885940, PMCID: PMC9318709

de Castro RO, Carbajal A, Previato de Almeida L, Goitea V, Griffin CT, Pezza RJ. Mouse Chd4-NURD is required for neonatal spermatogonia survival and normal gonad development. Epigenetics Chromatin 15:16, 2022 May, PMID: 35568926, PMCID: PMC9107693

Daum JR, DuBose CO, Sivakumar S, Gorbsky GJ. Live Fluorescence Imaging of Chromosome Segregation in Cultured Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2415:61-86, 2022 January, PMID: 34972946

Warfield L, Donczew R, Mahendrawada L, Hahn S. Yeast Mediator facilitates transcription initiation at most promoters via a Tail-independent mechanism. Mol Cell 82:4033-4048.e7, 2022 Nov, PMID: 36208626, PMCID: PMC9637718

Gary J. Gorbsky, Ph.D.
WH and Betty Phelps Chair in Developmental Biology
Chair, Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 NE 13th Street, MS 48
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-8168
Fax: (405) 271-7312
Email: gary-gorbsky@omrf.org