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Chemistry Department
Kristen Fox

Kristin M. Fox

Florence B. Sherwood Professor of Physical Sciences
Wold Center 216
(518) 388-6250
foxk@union.edu
Chemistry, Biochemistry

Areas of expertise

Protein Biochemistry

Research interests

Our lab studies metacaspases from the fungus Schizophyllum commune. Metacaspases are proteases, enzymes that cleave other proteins, and are involved in cell death and primitive immune responses. Metacaspases are regulated by changes in calcium concentration and autoproteolysis (self-cleavage). Currently we are using mutagenesis, activity assays and other techniques to better understand the structure-function relationships involved in these regulatory mechanisms.

Teaching interests

CHM 101 Introductory Chemistry I & Lab
CHM 110H Honors Introductory Chemistry
BCH 335 Survey of Biochemistry
BCH 382 Biochemistry: Structure and Catalysis & Lab
BCH 385 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry

Additional media

Publications & Recent Funding

  • Publications

    • Josh T. Beckham, Daniel R. Dries, Bonnie L. Hall, Rachel M. Mitton-Fry, Shelly Engelman, Charmita Burch, Roderico Acevedo, Pamela S. Mertz, Didem Vardar-Ulu, Swati Agrawal, Kristin M. Fox, Shane Austin, Margaret A. Franzen, Henry V. Jakubowski, Walter R.P. Novak, Rebecca Roberts, Alberto I Roca, Kristen Procko (2024) Seeing Eye-to-Eye? Comparing Faculty and Student Perceptions of Biomolecular Visualization Assessments, Education Sciences 14, 94.

    • Lakhena Leang*, Molly C. McDonald*, Charlotte R. Mineo*, Brandon Jones*, Travis Barker*, Connor Gagliardi*, Kristin M. Fox (2019) Identification and characterization of Schizophyllum commune type I metacaspases. Biochem. Biophys. Reports 20, 100706.

    • Adam Lewis*, Molly McDonald*, Stephanie Scharbach*, Stefan Hamaway*, Melissa Plooster, Kyle Peters, Lynne Cassimeris, Kristin M Fox, Joseph M Tanski, and Laurie A. Tyler (2016) The chemical biology of Cu(II) complexes with imidazole or thiazole containing ligands: Synthesis, crystal structures and comparative biological activity. J. Inorg. Biochem. 157, 52-61.

    • Ramsey A. Steiner, David Foreman*, Han X. Lin*, Bruce K. Carney, Kristin M. Fox, Lynne Cassimeris, Joseph M. Tanski, Laurie A. Tyler (2014) Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures and biological activity of a set of Cu(II) benzothiazole complexes: Artificial nucleases with cytotoxic activities. J. Inorg. Biochem. 137, 1-11.

    • John T. Tansey, Teaster Baird Jr., Michael M. Cox, Kristin M. Fox, Jennifer Knight, Duane Sears and Ellis Bell (2013) Foundational concepts and underlying theories for majors in “biochemistry and molecular biology. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 41(5) 289-296.

    • Scott D. Kirkton, Elizabeth T. Nyberg* and Kristin M. Fox (2011) Ontogenetic changes in citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the jumping muscle of the American locust (Schistocerca americana). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 160 (2-3), 110-116.

    • Kristin M. Fox, Catherine White Berheide, Kimberley A. Frederick and Brenda Johnson (2010) Adapting Mentoring Programs to the Liberal Arts College Environment. Chapter 3 in Mentoring Strategies to Facilitate the Advancement of Women Faculty, Kerry Karukstis, Bridget L. Gourley, Miriam Rossi, and Laura L. Wright, Eds., American Chemical Society, Washington D.C.

    • VanRoey P., Waddling, C.A., Fox, K.M., Belfort, M., and Derbyshire (2001) Intertwined structure of the DNA-binding domain of intron endonuclease I-TevI with its substrate. EMBO J. 20, 3631-3637.

    • Fox, K.M., Dias, J.A., and VanRoey, P. (2001) Three-dimensional structure of human follicle-stimulating hormone. Molecular Endocrinology 15, 378-389.

  • Recent Funding
    • NSF-RCN UBE "MDH CURES Community. A National Protein-Centric Molecular Life Sciences CURE Network" Senior personnel include Kristin Fox ($499,868 to U. San Diego, 2021-2026).
    • NSF-RUI "Role of Mechanical Forces Axial Torsion and Flexure in Chick Embryos", PI Ashok Ramasubramanian Senior personnel include Kristin Fox ($380,978 to Union College, 2019-2024).
    • “Union’s Beckman Scholars Program.” W. Sternberg, C. Anderson-Hanley, M. K. Carroll, L. Fleishman, K. Fox, M. Hagerman, A. Huisman, J. Kehlbeck, S. Kirkton, L. MacManus-Spencer, R. Yukilevich. Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, Funded at $104,000, December 2017.
    • NSF-IUSE "Malate Dehydrogenase CUREs Community-A Protein-Centric Approach", Senior personnel include Kristin Fox ($598,666 to U. San Diego, 2016-2021).

Academic credentials

B.S., Lafayette College; Ph.D., Cornell University; Postdoc, Manhattan College
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Fax: (518) 388-6789