- Office:Skalny 215
- Phone:(585) 899-3795
- Email:zmurphy@sjf.edu
Apple Teacher
ColumbiaX Certificate in Inclusive Teaching
Ph.D., M.S., University of Rochester
B.S., Rochester Institute of Technology
Dr. Murphy began his research in the lab of Michael Sellix, Ph.D. as a laboratory technician following his B.S. in biomedical sciences from RIT. There he analyzed mammalian reproductive physiology in relation to the internal timing system in rodent models of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
He later joined the lab of James Palis, M.D. at the University of Rochester as a Ph.D. candidate. There he investigated terminal erythroid cell maturation (how we made red blood cells in our blood) by determining the role of erythropoietin receptor in embryonic blood.
Dr. Murphy would then continue his studies as a postdoctoral associate in the lab of Laurie Steiner, M.D. where he investigated the epigenetic regulation of erythroid biology within the context of chromatin compaction and disease. Projects included the investigation of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA-I), and normal erythropoiesis (creation of red blood cells).
Students in Dr. Murphy’s lab now continue to investigate the unique epigenetic environment that exists in erythrocyte (red blood cell) precursors. These cells have robust changes in cell size and chromatin organization, which when defective, lead to anemia. Anemia is any condition in which the body has a decreased ability to deliver oxygen. Anemia is the most prevalent condition worldwide affecting close to 4 billion people each year, with varying levels of severity.
Recently, students have proposed and started investigations into various human diseases using cell culture models and CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Murphy has spent his entire post-graduate career around various research environments and topics. Therefore, the scientific method has greatly shaped his approach to teaching and learning. Dr. Murphy strives to facilitate an environment where students control the phases of their learning process: planning, experience, and reflection. This is achieved through active engagement in learning activities to enhance the retention of knowledge so that this information can be applied to future learning. Ultimately, facilitation of a science-based learning approach should allow students to synthesize new information as they take control of their education experience.
Current and Past Courses
- BIOL127L- General Biology Lab
- BIOL128L- General Zoology Laboratory
- BIOL131 - Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL131L- Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
- BIOL132 - Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIOL132L- Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
- BIOL151- General Biology I w/ Lab
- BIOL298- Introduction to Research
- BIOL311L- Cell Biology Techniques
- BIOL1110- Studying Nature
- GPBH511- Environmental Health
Current Projects in Murphy Lab – Last Updated 05/31/2023
*Dr. Murphy is always interested in having conversations with students about potential independent study and research opportunities.
Generation of EPOR-independent HUDEP2 and KITCAT lines: The EPOR is a required receptor for erythroblast maturation. Using CRISPR Cas9 genome editing, the aim of this project is to create HUDEP2 and KITCAT cell lines that have mutations resulting in constitutively active EPOR. This will decrease cell culture costs but also serve as a model to study EPOR signaling in erythroblasts.
Determining if radioprotective mechanisms in murine erythroblasts are conserved in human cells: Radiation exposure is a growing health concern due to both radiation treatment for pathologies and the potential for broad radiation exposure due to technological disasters. Understanding how radiation harms the human body is essential to future mitigation treatments. The hematopoietic system is highly sensitive to radiation with anemia, a lack of red blood cell number or function, being an acute condition following radiation exposure. The aim of this project is to use erythroid cell culture to investigate mechanisms for cell survival and proliferation of human erythroblasts. Further, we will determine if overexpression of these mechanisms is sufficient to protect erythroblasts from UV-induced apoptosis.
Investigation of the role of TET2 in erythropoiesis. TET2 is a gene that is suggested to be related to MDS, and it may play a role in the proper functioning of erythropoiesis. Studies have shown the possibility of a lack of TET2 playing a role in the progression of MDS in patients. TET2’s function is currently unknown, but previous publications suggest that its function may be related to erythropoiesis.
Generating an In-Vitro Model of MPS IIIA “Sanfilippo Syndrome” Through Gene Editing. Autosomal recessive inheritance of a defective SGSH gene coding for the enzyme sulfamidase is responsible for mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA, characterized by the effects of heparan sulfate accumulation in lysosomes. The syndrome presents with coarse facial features, central nervous system dysfunction, behavioral difficulties, intellectual disability, sleep disturbance, hyperactivity, loss of communication skills, and lack of mobility. Failure to develop cost-effective research methods and long-term treatment options leaves the average age expectancy at just 15 years.
Generating an In-Vitro Model of MPS IIIA “Sanfilippo Syndrome” Through Gene Editing. Autosomal recessive inheritance of a defective SGSH gene coding for the enzyme sulfamidase is responsible for mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA, characterized by the effects of heparan sulfate accumulation in lysosomes. The syndrome presents with coarse facial features, central nervous system dysfunction, behavioral difficulties, intellectual disability, sleep disturbance, hyperactivity, loss of communication skills, and lack of mobility. Failure to develop cost-effective research methods and long term treatment options leaves the average age expectancy at just 15 years.
Effects of glyphosate on human health. More research needs to be conducted to make direct conclusions regarding the correlation between cancerous outcomes and produce consumption containing glyphosate. A ‘safe’ limit for glyphosate on food consumed by humans considered by the EPA is “0.01 to 400 parts per million (ppm) and The Environmental Working Group (EWG) considers “160 parts per million the safe limit for human consumption” (alergyamulet.com). This is a lower range in comparison to the EPA standards. Glyphosate has been found in various crops including corn, soybean, oil seeds, grains and some fruits (fda.gov).
Potential New Student Projects
Generation of a disease model for CDA-I: Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia Type I results from a mutation in CDAN1 which results in anemia. There are several mutations found in patients. The aim of this project is to create cell lines with patient mutations to mimic human disease. This project will lead into follow up analysis of mutant cell lines.
Generation of K562 and HUDEP2/KITCAT cell lines which constitutively express Cas9: CRISPR-Cas9 editing is useful in a number of ways. In our lab we use it to mimic human disease in cell culture. The aim of this project is to create cell lines that constitutively express Cas9 to increase the probability of successful genome editing upon addition of a sgRNA. These cells will be shared with collaborators to enhance their ongoing research into human disease and development.
Optimization of K562 and KITCAT cell growth conditions: K562 is an established cell line while KITCAT cells are a version of HUDEP recently created in the lab of Laurie Steiner (out collaborators at the U of R). These cell lines are grown in media conditions that can be expensive and hard to maintain. The aim of this project is to determine if alternative reagents and media conditions are sufficient to grow these cell lines. This will allow the lab to increase research focused on human disease leading to anemia using these cell lines as models.
Outside the Lab/Collaborative Projects
Understanding the role of primary scientific literature on course performance: The use of primary scientific literature is more and more common in the classroom. However, these uses are often for specific content applications. The aim of this project is to determine if the practice of critical evaluation of primary literature can be used to enhance students' critical thinking and study skills. This project would evaluate how students' perceptions on course content and the ability to adapt to that content are influenced by regular evaluation of literature. The hypothesis is that the critical thinking required for critical evaluation of primary literature benefits students’ ability to master content in courses in which there is no direct connection to the literature studied.
Determining if the integration of formal scientific writing skills into a course benefits student outcomes: Many courses, particularly at the graduate level, require substantial writing. Often, student backgrounds are diverse and writing performance varies. The aim of this project is to determine if writing early intervention through direct course instruction increases student writing performance. Outcomes from this course will have a direct impact on the delivery of courses such as GPBH511.