Biological systems are highly dynamic, yet our temporal resolution of such
dynamical processes is often limited or difficult to test in the laboratory. The 24-hour
circadian rhythm and the approximately 75-minute cell cycle of a budding yeast cell are
both examples of dynamical processes that contain precisely ordered events, repeating
over each cycle. Organisms utilize such biological clock processes to time a particular
function. Dynamic cellular events are ordered, in part, by coordinated programs of
periodic gene expression. Up to 40% of all mouse genes are periodically expressed with
respect to the circadian cycle, and almost 20% of all yeast genes are periodic during the
cell cycle. Furthermore, more than half of the most frequently prescribed drugs in human
patients target an effector whose expression is under circadian control. Given the large
proportion of genes that are periodically expressed across different biological processes,
it is critically important to understand mechanisms that regulate dynamics in biology.
In this dissertation, I focus on two biological processes that are dynamic and are
not yet fully understood: the eukaryotic cell cycle and malaria parasite development.
Large programs of periodic genes emerge when these biological clock processes are
synchronized and profiled over time. Gene regulatory networks composed of
transcription factors, kinases, and other transcriptional regulators play a critical role in
generating periodicity in gene expression programs, ordering clock events, and
maintaining oscillations in subsequent cycles.
Many previous studies have profiled gene expression during the cell cycle in the
budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I have added to this detailed body of work by
demonstrating that regulatory motifs involving negative feedback are required to
maintain normal gene expression levels. Additionally, I showed that many periodic
mRNAs are also periodically abundant at the protein level during the cell cycle. Both
projects provide evidence for the hypothesis that cell-cycle dynamics are driven by a
network of transcription factors with complex protein dynamics and with negative
feedback motifs. Using this ground truth cell-cycle network in S. cerevisiae, I next
performed a comparative transcriptomics study on cell-cycle genes in the less studied,
but more human health relevant fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. This work
not only begins to identify a cell-cycle network in C. neoformans but also has
implications for future antifungal drug development, as some genes that are important
for fungal virulence were found to be expressed periodically during the cell cycle.
During infection, the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum cyclically
develops and re-infects red blood cells. Many groups have shown that a very large
program of gene expression occurs during this red blood cell developmental cycle. In
this dissertation, I deploy the experimental and analysis tools that I used to characterize
the fungal cell cycle to ask if a network of transcription factors can explain
developmental gene expression dynamics and cycle period control in malaria.
Biological systems are highly dynamic to respond to environmental signals, grow,
and survive. As the application of genetics and genomics has moved toward
characterizing complex diseases, host-pathogen interactions, or even the cell cycle of a
single yeast cell, it has become increasingly clear that networks of interacting genes are
required to explain biological mechanisms. Results from this dissertation where I
investigate dynamic gene regulatory networks are broadly applicable to our
understanding of both basic molecular biology and of human infectious diseases.
","abstract_html":"<p>Biological systems are highly dynamic, yet our temporal resolution of such</p><p>dynamical processes is often limited or difficult to test in the laboratory. The 24-hour</p><p>circadian rhythm and the approximately 75-minute cell cycle of a budding yeast cell are</p><p>both examples of dynamical processes that contain precisely ordered events, repeating</p><p>over each cycle. Organisms utilize such biological clock processes to time a particular</p><p>function. Dynamic cellular events are ordered, in part, by coordinated programs of</p><p>periodic gene expression. Up to 40% of all mouse genes are periodically expressed with</p><p>respect to the circadian cycle, and almost 20% of all yeast genes are periodic during the</p><p>cell cycle. Furthermore, more than half of the most frequently prescribed drugs in human</p><p>patients target an effector whose expression is under circadian control. Given the large</p><p>proportion of genes that are periodically expressed across different biological processes,</p><p>it is critically important to understand mechanisms that regulate dynamics in biology.</p><p>In this dissertation, I focus on two biological processes that are dynamic and are</p><p>not yet fully understood: the eukaryotic cell cycle and malaria parasite development.</p><p>Large programs of periodic genes emerge when these biological clock processes are</p><p>synchronized and profiled over time. Gene regulatory networks composed of</p><p>transcription factors, kinases, and other transcriptional regulators play a critical role in</p><p>generating periodicity in gene expression programs, ordering clock events, and</p><p>maintaining oscillations in subsequent cycles.</p><p>Many previous studies have profiled gene expression during the cell cycle in the</p><p>budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I have added to this detailed body of work by</p><p>demonstrating that regulatory motifs involving negative feedback are required to</p><p>maintain normal gene expression levels. Additionally, I showed that many periodic</p><p>mRNAs are also periodically abundant at the protein level during the cell cycle. Both</p><p>projects provide evidence for the hypothesis that cell-cycle dynamics are driven by a</p><p>network of transcription factors with complex protein dynamics and with negative</p><p>feedback motifs. Using this ground truth cell-cycle network in S. cerevisiae, I next</p><p>performed a comparative transcriptomics study on cell-cycle genes in the less studied,</p><p>but more human health relevant fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. This work</p><p>not only begins to identify a cell-cycle network in C. neoformans but also has</p><p>implications for future antifungal drug development, as some genes that are important</p><p>for fungal virulence were found to be expressed periodically during the cell cycle.</p><p>During infection, the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum cyclically</p><p>develops and re-infects red blood cells. Many groups have shown that a very large</p><p>program of gene expression occurs during this red blood cell developmental cycle. In</p><p>this dissertation, I deploy the experimental and analysis tools that I used to characterize</p><p>the fungal cell cycle to ask if a network of transcription factors can explain</p><p>developmental gene expression dynamics and cycle period control in malaria.</p><p>Biological systems are highly dynamic to respond to environmental signals, grow,</p><p>and survive. As the application of genetics and genomics has moved toward</p><p>characterizing complex diseases, host-pathogen interactions, or even the cell cycle of a</p><p>single yeast cell, it has become increasingly clear that networks of interacting genes are</p><p>required to explain biological mechanisms. Results from this dissertation where I</p><p>investigate dynamic gene regulatory networks are broadly applicable to our</p><p>understanding of both basic molecular biology and of human infectious diseases.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Kelliher, Christina Marie"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Haase, Steven B"],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2017,"date_issued":"2017","date_published":"2017","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:07:05Z","subjects":["Genetics","cell cycle transcription","Cryptococcus neoformans","gene regulatory networks","Plasmodium falciparum","Saccharomyces cerevisiae"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/10161/16224","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Haase, Steven B"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Kelliher, Christina Marie"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2018-03-20T17:52:54Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2018-08-29T08:17:07Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2017"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Dissertation"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Genetics","cell cycle transcription","Cryptococcus neoformans","gene regulatory networks","Plasmodium falciparum","Saccharomyces cerevisiae"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/10161/16224"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Biological systems are highly dynamic, yet our temporal resolution of such
dynamical processes is often limited or difficult to test in the laboratory. The 24-hour
circadian rhythm and the approximately 75-minute cell cycle of a budding yeast cell are
both examples of dynamical processes that contain precisely ordered events, repeating
over each cycle. Organisms utilize such biological clock processes to time a particular
function. Dynamic cellular events are ordered, in part, by coordinated programs of
periodic gene expression. Up to 40% of all mouse genes are periodically expressed with
respect to the circadian cycle, and almost 20% of all yeast genes are periodic during the
cell cycle. Furthermore, more than half of the most frequently prescribed drugs in human
patients target an effector whose expression is under circadian control. Given the large
proportion of genes that are periodically expressed across different biological processes,
it is critically important to understand mechanisms that regulate dynamics in biology.
In this dissertation, I focus on two biological processes that are dynamic and are
not yet fully understood: the eukaryotic cell cycle and malaria parasite development.
Large programs of periodic genes emerge when these biological clock processes are
synchronized and profiled over time. Gene regulatory networks composed of
transcription factors, kinases, and other transcriptional regulators play a critical role in
generating periodicity in gene expression programs, ordering clock events, and
maintaining oscillations in subsequent cycles.
Many previous studies have profiled gene expression during the cell cycle in the
budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I have added to this detailed body of work by
demonstrating that regulatory motifs involving negative feedback are required to
maintain normal gene expression levels. Additionally, I showed that many periodic
mRNAs are also periodically abundant at the protein level during the cell cycle. Both
projects provide evidence for the hypothesis that cell-cycle dynamics are driven by a
network of transcription factors with complex protein dynamics and with negative
feedback motifs. Using this ground truth cell-cycle network in S. cerevisiae, I next
performed a comparative transcriptomics study on cell-cycle genes in the less studied,
but more human health relevant fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. This work
not only begins to identify a cell-cycle network in C. neoformans but also has
implications for future antifungal drug development, as some genes that are important
for fungal virulence were found to be expressed periodically during the cell cycle.
During infection, the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum cyclically
develops and re-infects red blood cells. Many groups have shown that a very large
program of gene expression occurs during this red blood cell developmental cycle. In
this dissertation, I deploy the experimental and analysis tools that I used to characterize
the fungal cell cycle to ask if a network of transcription factors can explain
developmental gene expression dynamics and cycle period control in malaria.
Biological systems are highly dynamic to respond to environmental signals, grow,
and survive. As the application of genetics and genomics has moved toward
characterizing complex diseases, host-pathogen interactions, or even the cell cycle of a
single yeast cell, it has become increasingly clear that networks of interacting genes are
required to explain biological mechanisms. Results from this dissertation where I
investigate dynamic gene regulatory networks are broadly applicable to our
understanding of both basic molecular biology and of human infectious diseases.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Investigating Transcription Factor Networks That Drive Biological Clocks and Oscillators"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Haase, Steven B"],"dc:creator":["Kelliher, Christina Marie"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2018-03-20T17:52:54Z"],"dc:date.available":["2018-08-29T08:17:07Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2017"],"dc:description.abstract":["Biological systems are highly dynamic, yet our temporal resolution of such
dynamical processes is often limited or difficult to test in the laboratory. The 24-hour
circadian rhythm and the approximately 75-minute cell cycle of a budding yeast cell are
both examples of dynamical processes that contain precisely ordered events, repeating
over each cycle. Organisms utilize such biological clock processes to time a particular
function. Dynamic cellular events are ordered, in part, by coordinated programs of
periodic gene expression. Up to 40% of all mouse genes are periodically expressed with
respect to the circadian cycle, and almost 20% of all yeast genes are periodic during the
cell cycle. Furthermore, more than half of the most frequently prescribed drugs in human
patients target an effector whose expression is under circadian control. Given the large
proportion of genes that are periodically expressed across different biological processes,
it is critically important to understand mechanisms that regulate dynamics in biology.
In this dissertation, I focus on two biological processes that are dynamic and are
not yet fully understood: the eukaryotic cell cycle and malaria parasite development.
Large programs of periodic genes emerge when these biological clock processes are
synchronized and profiled over time. Gene regulatory networks composed of
transcription factors, kinases, and other transcriptional regulators play a critical role in
generating periodicity in gene expression programs, ordering clock events, and
maintaining oscillations in subsequent cycles.
Many previous studies have profiled gene expression during the cell cycle in the
budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I have added to this detailed body of work by
demonstrating that regulatory motifs involving negative feedback are required to
maintain normal gene expression levels. Additionally, I showed that many periodic
mRNAs are also periodically abundant at the protein level during the cell cycle. Both
projects provide evidence for the hypothesis that cell-cycle dynamics are driven by a
network of transcription factors with complex protein dynamics and with negative
feedback motifs. Using this ground truth cell-cycle network in S. cerevisiae, I next
performed a comparative transcriptomics study on cell-cycle genes in the less studied,
but more human health relevant fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. This work
not only begins to identify a cell-cycle network in C. neoformans but also has
implications for future antifungal drug development, as some genes that are important
for fungal virulence were found to be expressed periodically during the cell cycle.
During infection, the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum cyclically
develops and re-infects red blood cells. Many groups have shown that a very large
program of gene expression occurs during this red blood cell developmental cycle. In
this dissertation, I deploy the experimental and analysis tools that I used to characterize
the fungal cell cycle to ask if a network of transcription factors can explain
developmental gene expression dynamics and cycle period control in malaria.
Biological systems are highly dynamic to respond to environmental signals, grow,
and survive. As the application of genetics and genomics has moved toward
characterizing complex diseases, host-pathogen interactions, or even the cell cycle of a
single yeast cell, it has become increasingly clear that networks of interacting genes are
required to explain biological mechanisms. Results from this dissertation where I
investigate dynamic gene regulatory networks are broadly applicable to our
understanding of both basic molecular biology and of human infectious diseases.
"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/10161/16224"],"dc:subject":["Genetics","cell cycle transcription","Cryptococcus neoformans","gene regulatory networks","Plasmodium falciparum","Saccharomyces cerevisiae"],"dc:title":["Investigating Transcription Factor Networks That Drive Biological Clocks and Oscillators"],"dc:type":["Dissertation"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:07:05Z"}