Cellular Basis of Life (BI163), Plant Physiology (BI214), Plants of the Tropics (BI259), Molecular Biology (BC378), Genetics (BI279)

The Millard research group is interested in the interactions of small molecules with DNA, focusing on the question of how some small molecules cause cancer whereas others act as anti-cancer drugs. We primarily use polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to examine DNA sites targeted by interstrand cross-linking agents and to probe structural abnormalities induced by cross-linking. We are currently most focused on diepoxybutane, the metabolite of butadiene believed to be responsible for increased levels of cancer in those exposed to it industrially. Click here for more information about our work.