The Robleto Lab at UNLV

The Robleto Lab studies the mechanisms of mutation in cells under conditions of stress. Our model is Bacillus subtilis, a member of the Gram positive/Firmicutes phylum that forms endospores. Many organisms experiencing stress or non-dividing conditions activate mechanisms, which are either dependent or independent of recombination functions, that result in the increase of genetic diversity. This is also known as stationary phase mutagenesis, stress-induced mutagenesis or adaptive mutagenesis. Such mechanisms are stochastic in nature and increase the likelihood of cells to escape stress or non-replicating conditions. An interesting puzzle within this field is to determine how, or even  whether, cells accumulate mutations in genes under selection differently than in genes under neutral selection.  A great deal of information has been rapidly generated by examining different aspects of DNA replication and repair.  The link between transcription of genes under selection and stationary phase mutagenesis, however, is beginning to be examined. Our lab, in collaboration with others, examines how transcription influences the accumulation of mutations in cells under nutritional stress. These processes are universal and have been implicated with health disorders, metabolic expansion and pathogenicity.