Christos Dimos
Professor
JWU Faculty Since 2011
Christos Dimos has always been fascinated with micro- and molecular biology. As an undergraduate at Sacred Heart University, he studied the role that the HS8A gene played in stress response in a soil amoeba called Dictyostelium discodeum. His Ph.D. research at the University of Rhode Island focused on discovering the function of the Cellulose Synthase-Like D (CSLDs) gene family in the moss Physcomitrella patens by performing targeted gene knockout, RNAi global silencing, and RT-qPCR studies. He also completed a comprehensive polysaccharide labeling study using various monoclonal antibodies and Carbohydrate Binding Modules (CBMs). Dimos is currently developing undergraduate research projects focused on plant-pathogen interactions using the moss P. patens
Dimos has been teaching at JWU for the last ten years and has professional interest in the field of teaching and learning. Currently, he is investigating the self-directed learning characteristics of students enrolled in STEM majors.
Education
- Ph.D., Biological Sciences (Plant Molecular Biology), University of Rhode Island
- B.S., Biology, Chemistry, Sacred Heart University
Scholarly Interests
Dimos is currently investigating the morphological and molecular response of the bryophyte moss Physcomitrella patens to the pathogenic bacteria Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. Specifically, he is trying to determine which members of the P. patens Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyases (PpPALs) gene family are expressed when P. patens experiences pathogen stress. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyases mediate the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids that includes a class of antimicrobial compounds known as phytoalexins.
Courses
- BIO1011: General Biology: Cellular
- BIO1015: General Biology Laboratory:Cellular
- BIO4011: Microbiology
- BIO4015: Microbiology Laboratory
- CHM3040: Biochemistry
- PAS5200: Foundations of Medicine (Immunology & Microbiology Modules)
Publications
- Dimos, C. 2017. “Rhetorical Situations: Scientific Laboratory Writing vs. English Composition.” LifeSciTRC.
- Dimos, C. 2017. “Introductory Science Laboratory: Writing Activities 1-3.” LifeSciTRC.
- Dimos, C. and Tainsh, R. 2017. “Scientific Literacy: Primary Research Article vs. Lay Press Secondary Article.” LifeSciTRC.
- Berry, E.A., Tran, M.L., Dimos, C.S., Budziszek, M.J., Scavuzzo-Duggan, T.R. and Roberts, A.W., 2016. “Immuno and Affinity Cytochemical Analysis of Cell Wall Composition in the Moss Physocomitrella patens.” Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 248.
- Roberts, AW, Budziszek, MJ, Dimos, C., Goss, CA, Lai, V. 2011. “Knocking Out the Wall: Protocols or Gene Targeting in Physcomitrella patens,” Zoë A. Popper (ed.), “The Plant Cell Wall: Methods and Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology,” vol. 715, Springer, Berlin.