Welcome to the Lazzaro Lab
Cell Biology Course
 Department of Biology College of Charleston
Research in this lab examines the relationship between cell structure and function.  We are primarily interested in the cytoskeleton in plant cells and do a lot of video microscopy and image analysis on live cells.   We also do confocal fluorescence microscopy and biochemistry.  The research program is designed around undergraduate projects.  If you want real experience working in a cell biology lab, come visit.  The lab is in the Science Center, room 216D.

RECENTLY PUBLISHED WORK (*undergraduate authors)

Lazzaro MD, Cardenas L, Bhatt AP*, Justus CD*, Phillips MS*, Holdaway-Clarke TL, Hepler PK (2005) Calcium gradients in conifer pollen tubes; dynamic properties differ from those seen in angiosperms. Journal of Experimental Botany 56:2619-2628. abstract
Click here for supplemental videos.

Justus CD*, Anderhag P*, Goins JL*, Lazzaro MD (2004) Microtubules and microfilaments coordinate to direct a fountain streaming pattern in elongating conifer pollen tube tips.  Planta 219:103-109.  abstract
Click here for supplemental videos.

Lazzaro MD, Donohue JM*, Soodavar FM* (2003) Disruption of cellulose synthesis by isoxaben causes tip swelling and disorganizes cortical microtubules in elongating conifer pollen tubes. Protoplasma 220:201-207.  abstract

Anderhag P*, Hepler PK, Lazzaro MD (2000) Microtubules and microfilaments are both responsible for pollen tube elongation in the conifer Picea abies (Norway spruce). Protoplasma 214:141-157.  abstract

Here's the lab's complete publication list.  Click on the pollen tube to learn more about our research.


RECENT PRESENTATIONS OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AT NATIONAL MEETINGS

Lazzaro MD, Bhatt AP*, Cardenas L, Hepler PK (2004) Calcium dynamics within elongating conifer pollen tubes differ from that seen in flowering plants. Poster at the 2004 meeting of the American Society for Plant Biology. abstract
Lazzaro MD, Bhatt AP*, Cardenas L, Hepler PK (2003) Calcium dynamics within elongating conifer pollen tubes differ from that seen in flowering plants. Poster at the 2003 meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology. abstract

Lazzaro MD, Justus C*, Phillips M* (2002) Microtubules and microfilaments control a fountain streaming pattern in the tips of  elongating conifer pollen tubes.  Poster at the 2002 Gordon Conference-Plant and Fungal Cytoskeleton. New Hampshire, USA.

Lazzaro MD (2002) Conifer pollen tubes as a model system for the cytoskeleton's role in polarized growth. Invited lecture at 2002 meeting of the Botanical Society of America.  abstract

Justus C*, Lazzaro M (2002) Microtubules and microfilaments both direct motility within elongating conifer pollen tubes. Poster (presented by Chip) at the 2002 meeting of the Southern Section of the American Society of Plant Biology.

Lazzaro MD, Donohue J*, Soodavar FM* (2001)  Disruption of cell wall synthesis with isoxaben causes tip swelling and the disorganization of microtubules within conifer pollen tube tips.  Poster at 2001 meetings of the American Society of Plant Biology.  abstract

INTERESTING LINKS
A career in science can be quite an adventure.  Before joining the Biology Department at COFC, I was on the faculty of Stockholm University in the Department of Botany (Botaniska institutionen) in Sweden from 1994-1999.  My office and lab were across the street from the Royal Academy of Science, where they pick the Nobel prize!   I could see the academy from my office window.  Pretty cool.  I earned my M.S. (1988) and Ph.D. (1992) from the University of California-Riverside and my B.A. in Biology (1986) from Cornell University.

Would you like to meet famous scientists I've had drinks with?

Dr. Mark Lazzaro
Department of Biology
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC  29424
(843) 953-7180
lazzarom@cofc.edu