Blair Christian

Graduate Student (3^rd year)

Department of Statistics

My main interest is in understanding how cells work, specifically how genes and protiens interact with each other. To this end, we use genomic, microarray and protein data to gain insight into metabolic and transcriptional regulatory networks. This involves modeling how genes and proteins interact with each on a coarse scale, such as boolean or bayesian networks, as well as using more complicated, middle scale models based on differential equations, such as S-systems. I also have an interest in applying these models in a metabolic engineering setting.

I have been working with Dr. Rudy Guerra on the analysis of cDNA and oligo microarrays since the summer of 2003. These projects involve research into the changes in gene expression in Dictyostelium discoideum, genes involved in cell cycle control in mice and genes involved in the NF-kB pathway in humans. You can find out more about my research on my research website.