Thomas D. Fox received his B.S. degree from Cornell University in 1971 and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Harvard University in 1976.
Research Focus
I am no longer actively engaged in laboratory research. Our research was aimed at understanding how expression of genes in mitochondrial DNA is controlled by nuclear genes, and how mitochondrially coded proteins are assembled with nuclearly coded proteins into the respiratory chain complexes. Budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a wonderful organism in which to study these interactions, since mutations in both genetic systems can be isolated and manipulated. Furthermore, genetic transformation and homologous recombination allow the replacement of wild-type by mutant, or novel, DNA sequences in both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.
Teaching Focus
My primary teaching activity is lecturing in BioMG 2800, our introductory Genetics and Genomics lecture course. This class is aimed at sophomores and juniors, but is also attended by many seniors. The course is taught on a problem solving basis and aims to teach how our understanding of inheritance and gene expression has been developed from a biological perspective.
I also teach a smaller course, BIOMG 3800, Advanced Genetics and Genomics, for undergraduates who wish to explore this area in greater depth. It was launched in the Spring 2015 semester.
Additional Links
Awards and Honors
- Outstanding Accomplishments in Research Award (2015) CALS
- Louis and Edith Edgerton Career Teaching Award (2013) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- AAAS Fellow (2010) American Association for the Advancement of Science
- State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2003) SUNY
- Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (1998) American Academy of Microbiology/American Society for Microbiology
Selected Publications
Journal Publications
- Fox, T. D. (2012). Mitochondrial Protein Synthesis, Import, and Assembly. Genetics. 192:1203-1234.
- Elliott, L. E., Saracco, S. A., & Fox, T. D. (2012). Multiple roles of the Cox20 chaperone in assembly of Saccharomyces cereviae cytochrome c oxidase. Genetics. 190:559-567.
- Mick, D. U., Fox, T. D., & Rehling, P. (2011). Inventory control: cytochrome c oxidase assembly regulates mitochondrial translation. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology. 12:14-20.
- Yogev, O., Singer, E., Shaulian, E., Goldberg, M., Fox, T. D., & Pines, O. (2010). Fumarase: a mitochondrial metabolic enzyme and a cytosolic/nuclear component of the DNA damage response. PLOS Biology. 8:e1000328.
- Perez-Martinez, X., Butler, C. A., Shingu-Vazquez, M., & Fox, T. D. (2009). Dual functions of Mss51 couple synthesis of Cox1 to assembly of cytochrome c oxidase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 20:4371-4380.
- Bonnefoy, N., Fiumera, H. L., Dujardin, G., & Fox, T. D. (2009). Roles of Oxa1-related inner membrane translocases in assembly of respiratory chain complexes. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research. 1793:60-70.
- Fiumera, H. L., Dunham, M. J., Saracco, S. A., Butler, C. A., Kelly, J. A., & Fox, T. D. (2009). Translocation and assembly of mitochondrially coded Saccharomyces cerevisiae cytochrome c oxidase subunit Cox2 by Oxa1 and Yme1, in the absence of Cox18. 182: 519-528. Genetics. 182:519-528.