Gregory Buck, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biology and Biomedical Sciences Program
Graduate Faculty, Department of Life Science

Office:	Center for the Sciences 251; Lab CS252
Phone:	(361) 825-3717
Fax:	(361) 825-3719
E-Mail:	gregory.buck@tamucc.edu

Education

Ph.D., Georgia State University (Molecular Genetics), 1999
M.S., Georgia State University (Biology/Microbiology) 1992
Alternative Teacher Certification
B.S., Morehouse College (Biology) 1981
Awards: Graduated with High Honors (Magna Cum Laude), 10th of 197
            Graduated with Biology Departmental Research Honors
            Lucy Dalbiac Luard Fellowship, 1978-79
            Edward A. Jones Prize in French, 1977

Research Interests

Regulation of genes in Vibrios;
Regulation of DNA repair genes in Enteric bacteria;
Antibacterial activity of plants

The major project involves collaboration with Dr. Joanna Mott, in which we are monitoring Vibrio vulnificus in the coastal waters, and determining what genes are involved in facilitating the survival of this organism under hostile environmental conditions. The second project involves the gene nfi, which encodes a DNA repair enzyme, Endonuclease V. I am exploring how the gene is controlled in estuarine environments in E. coli, and in other members of Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae. The third project is in collaboration with Dr. Suzzette Chopin on the antibacterial properties of herbal plants; please refer to Dr. Chopin's research summary.

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications, Posters, Abstracts
*indicates undergraduate research students

Romero, C*., S. Chopin, G. Buck, M. Garcia*, E. Martinez*, and L. Bishop*. 2005. Antibacterial properties of common herbal remedies of the southwest. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 99(2): 253-257.

Alcantara, D.,* C. Romero*, S. Chopin, G. Buck, M. Griffith*, F. Billiot, D. Hernandez*. 2005. Antibacterial efficacy of indigenous medicinal plants of northern Mexico. Presented by D. Alcantara at CUR Posters on the Hill, Washington, DC.

Buck, Gregory. 2003. “The time machine: teaching your students how you wished you had been taught.” #720.6. FASEB-Experimental Biology 2003 (American Association of Anatomists), San Diego, CA.

Buck, G. W. 1999. Identification of pcaT, and Characterization of the pcaFTBDC Gene Cluster in Pseudomonas putida. Ph.D. Dissertation, Georgia State University. ISBN 0-599-71823-4 (University Microforms International)

Buck, Gregory W., Zhu Guo, and John Houghton. 1998. A Physiological and Regulatory Analysis of Beta-Ketoadipate Transport Mutants in Pseudomonas putida. In Abstracts of the 98th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Atlanta, GA (K-158)

Buck, G.W. and J.E. Houghton. 1996. Pseudomonas putida dicarboxylic acid transport protein (pcaT) gene, PPU48776. GenBank, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/

Buck, Gregory W. and John Houghton. 1996. Cloning and Sequencing of a Dicarboxylic Acid Transport Protein from Pseudomonas putida. In Abstracts of the 96th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, New Orleans, LA (K-123)

Spitznagel, John K., Gregory Buck, and Monica Farley. 1987. Genetic Basis for Cross-Resistance between Polymixin B and Neutrophil 57kD Cationic Protein in Salmonella typhimurium. In Abstracts of the 87th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Atlanta, GA (D-146)

Davis, Elaine J., Gregory Buck, and Jacqueline Henry. 1981. Localization of conjugally-transferred and transferring replicating plasmid DNA in E. coli K-12 cells. In Abstracts Bulletin of the 9th Annual Minority Biomedical Support Symposium, Albuquerque, NM

Editor-Reviewed Publications
Buck, G. 2005. Anatomy, anthropology training good base for forensic science. Amer. Assoc. Anatomists News 14(2): 26. [Newsletter]

Manuscripts in preparation

Buck, G.W. 2006. Molecular characterization of PcaT, a major facilitator superfamily transport protein involved in aromatic catabolism in Pseudomonas putida. (in revision for resubmission)

Imam, S. Q.,* C. Gonzalez Rivera*, G. W. Buck, J.B. Mott, and G. Ramirez. 2006. Differential response of Vibrio vulnificus isolates from south Texas waters to oxidative stress. (in preparation for submission to Journal of Young Investigators)

Buck, G.W., J.B. Mott, M. Bolick, N. Trevino, and V.K. Dulip. 2005. Combining molecular biology, environmental science, and microbiology research in teaching high school students: an interdisciplinary model. (in revision for resubmission )

Peer-Reviewed Web-Based Publications (Scholarship of Integration & Teaching)

Buck, G. 2006. Muscles in arm & head movements. Ask The Experts Website, American Association of Anatomists <www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/default.asp>>

Buck, G. 2004. What professors want their anatomy students to learn in high school (Dec. 10). Ask The Experts Website, American Association of Anatomists
<www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/body_region/Body_Region.htm>>

Buck, G. 2004. Reagent strips (Feb 24). Ask The Experts Website, American Association of Anatomists <www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/default.asp>>

Buck, G. 2004. Tongue histology and staining of tongue nerves (Feb 12).
Ask The Experts Website, American Association of Anatomists <www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/histology/Digestive_Sys.htm>>

Buck, G. 2003. pH of Urine and Respiratory Tracts (Nov. 12).
<www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/organ_body_sys/respiratory.htm>

Buck, G. and M. Zumpano. 2003. Wrist flexion (Nov. 7).
<www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/body_region/extremities.htm>>

Buck, G. 2003. Skin and bacteria (Oct. 23).
<www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/ organ_body_sys/skin.htm>

Buck, G. 2003. Cells of Respiratory Mucosa (Oct 15)
<<www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/organ_body_sys/respiratory.htm>>

Buck, G. 2003. Gastrointestinal Z-line (Sept. 24).
<<www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/organ_body_sys/gastrointestinal_Sys.htm>>

Buck, G. 2003. New muscle in face (Sept. 3).
<<www.anatomy.org/Education/ask_expert/organ_body_sys/musculoskeletal.htm>>

Invited Oral Presentations and Seminars-National Level

Buck, Gregory. “The time machine: teaching your students how you wished you had been taught.” #720.6. Presented at FASEB-Experimental Biology 2003 (American Association of Anatomists), April 13, 2003, San Diego, CA.

Buck, G.W. 2002. Identification of the global regulatory mechanisms controlling the nfi gene in E. coli. Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA

Buck, G.W. 2001. Characterization of the regulatory gene(s)/mechanisms involved with the control of nfi, the gene that encodes the E. coli DNA repair enzyme, Endonuclease V. Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA

Buck, G.W. 2001. Identification of genes involved in regulation of the DNA repair enzyme Endonuclease V in E. coli. Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL

Buck, G.W. 2001. Characterization of genes involved in regulation of the DNA repair enzyme Endonuclease V in E. coli. University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA

State and Regional

Alcantara, D.,* S. Chopin, K. Eddy*, D. Mancha*, and G. Buck. 2005. Antibacterial efficacy of indigenous medicinal plants of northern Mexico. 3rd Annual Pathways Texas A&M University System Student Research Symposium, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Alcantara, D.,* S. Chopin, K. Eddy*, D. Mancha*, and G. Buck. 2005. Antibacterial efficacy of indigenous medicinal plants of northern Mexico. Fifth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (First place, D. Alcantara)

Gillinger, C.,* S. Muniz*, N. Riojas* A. Gonzalez*, S. Frankian*, A. de la Rosa*,
and G. Buck. 2005. Effect of recA on growth of E. coli strains in the presence of molybdate and/or nitrite. Fifth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Second Place, C. Gillinger and A. de la Rosa)

Gillinger, C.,* Nicole Riojas*, Silva Frankian*, Steven Muniz*, Audrey Gonzalez*, and Gregory Buck. 2005. Regulatory Gene Networks in E.coli: Potential Interaction of Molybdenum and Endonuclease V. 11th Annual Conference for Undergraduate Research and Creative Arts, University of Houston-Clear Lake. #92

Buck, G. W. 2004. Control of the DNA repair gene, nfi, in enteric bacteria. Biomedical Seminar (BIMS2170), Department of Physical and Life Sciences, Texas A&M Univ.- Corpus Christi.

Buck, G.W. 2004. Control of the DNA repair gene, nfi, in enteric bacteria. Department of Chemistry, Austin College, Sherman, TX

Alcantara, Donna,* Christopher Romero*, Suzzette Chopin, Gregory Buck, and
Denise Hernandez*. 2004. Antibacterial efficacy of indigenous medicinal plants of northern Mexico. 2nd Annual Pathways Texas A&M University System Student Research Symposium, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. #150 (Third Place Undergraduate Poster)

Dewsbury, Nathan,* Justin Miller*, Linda Sousse*, Bette Harrison*, and Gregory Buck. 2004. Role of ammonium molybdate in regulation of nfi in environmental isolates of E. coli. 10th Annual Conference for Undergraduate Research and Creative Arts, University of Houston-Clear Lake. #146

Miller, Justin,* Roger Sealy*, Tim Dewees*, Linda Sousse*, Nathan Dewsbury*, and Gregory Buck. 2003. Isolation and identification of nfi from environmental bacterial samples. 1st Annual Pathways Texas A&M University System Student Research Symposium, Texas A&M University at Galveston. #518

Sealy, Roger,* Bethany Pepper*, Andrea Zapata*, Elizabeth Gonzalez*, and Gregory Buck. 2003. Identification of nfi, a gene encoding the DNA repair enzyme Endonuclease V, from bacteria isolated from marine waters around Corpus Christi, TX. 9th Annual Conference for Undergraduate Research and Creative Arts, University of Houston-Clear Lake. #377

Buck, G.W. 2003. Possible variations upon a regulatory theme: control of the DNA repair enzyme, nfi, in enteric bacteria. Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX

Buck, G.W. 2001. Identification of the regulatory mechanisms of nfi, the gene encoding the DNA repair enzyme, Endo V, in E. coli. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Presentations for Public Dissemination
Buck, G.W. 2005. DNA: The Beginnings (platform presentation for parents and prospective students). Island Days (February, March, October, November), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Buck, G.W. 2004. DNA: The Beginnings (platform presentation for parents and prospective students). Island Days (February, March, April, November), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Buck, G.W. 2003. Biotechnology: A brief overview. Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Regional Workforce Development Forum, HSI Connections: Links to Regional Prosperity (March), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Buck, G.W. 2003. DNA: The Beginnings (platform presentation for parents and prospective students). Island Days (February, March, November), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Buck, G.W. 2002. DNA: The Beginnings (platform presentation for parents and prospective students). Island Days (February, March, April, November), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Buck, G.W. 2001. Biological warfare (panel presentation for students and faculty). Perspectives on the conflict in Afghanistan (November 15), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Featured Media Interviews

May 2005. A&M Systemwide News (http://amsnews.tamu.edu)
April 2005. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi University Currents (http//kanga.tamucc.edu/ Public Affairs/currents/2005/april/buck.html)
April 29, 2005. Texas Public Radio Interview, “Reality Behind CSI” (http://publications.tamucc.edu/gallery/audio/index.htm)
September 11, 2004 (Sat). Corpus Caller-Times, “A&M Corpus Christi science courses address bioterror,” Leanne Libby, p. A6
October 9, 2001. KIII-TV (Channel 3/ABC) 6 p.m. newscast about anthrax scare (interviewed by Gene Cox)

Textbook Reviews

Bauman, R. 2003. Microbiology. San Francisco, CA: Pearson/Benjamin-Cummings
Wise, J. 2003. The Viruses: Principles and Prototypes. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice-Hall
Krumhardt, B. 2003. Microbiology Laboratory Manual for Health Science Students Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice-Hall
Mader, S. 2002. Biology, 7th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Page last modified September 2006