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William Ward William Ward
Associate Professor
 Biochemistry and Microbiology
Lipman 216
76 Lipman Drive
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 732-932-9562
Fax: 732-932-9071
Email: crebb@rci.rutgers.edu
Website: aesop.rutgers.edu/~dbm/billward.html

Expertise Summary
  Our current research interests fall into two categories: 1) the elucidation of biochemical components in the bioluminescence of coelenterates and 2) the application of this knowledge in developing practical genetically-based assays for gene expression. 1. We are currently completing the characterization of a bioluminescence energy transfer system involving a unique chromoprotein known as the green-fluorescent protein (Chalfie et al., 1994). Fluorescence involves a post-translationally modified tripeptide in the primary sequence of the protein (Cody et al., 1993). We have recently proposed an evolutionary relationship between the biosynthetic pathways of luciferin and GFP (Ward & McCapra, 1993). 2. The GFP gene has been cloned and is expressed as an inheritable fluorescent cell marker in all species tested. (Chalfie et al., 1994). We now have reason to believe that luciferin is also genetically encoded. Thus, it may be possible to establish a nearly universal in vivo bioluminescence assay for gene promotion, induction and repression and to design a bioluminescent "Ames test" or "Rec-assay" based on the coelenterate bioluminescence system.

Research Projects
  • CLONING OF RENILLA KOLLIKERI GFP AND COELENTERAZINE FOR REMOTE SENSING OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND FOR USE IN BIOMEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS

    • Selected Publications
    Chemical structure of the hexapeptide chromophore of the Aequorea green-fluorescent protein.
      Journal: Biochemistry
     Authors: Cody, C.W., Prasher, D.C., Westler, W.M., Prendergast, F.G. and Ward, W.W
    Volume: 32    Pages: 1212-1218
    Green fluorescent protein as a marker for gene expression.
      Journal: Science
     Authors: Chalfie, M., Tu, Y., Euskirchen, G., Ward, W.W. and Prasher, D.C
    Volume: 263    Pages: 802-805

     

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