Professor of biology

"I thoroughly enjoy the balance between teaching and research," says Mitch Chernin, a molecular biologist. "That's why I came to Bucknell."

Chernin, the holder of the Herbert l. Spencer Professorship in biology, is noted for his work in hypertension and cancer research.

"You try to build an environment that gets students excited about what they are learning in the classroom or the research lab rather than look at it as drudgery where all that matters is the grade," he says. "And, I'll be honest, I have a very attractive job - genetic engineering, gene cloning, molecular biology - the field naturally draws good students."

As do Chernin's labs, where he includes students in his research. "I think I've had some of the best students at Bucknell working in my lab," he says, "and that's helped my career. Really, I couldn't do it without them."

Through his endowed chair, he has been able to obtain funds to send his students to national meetings. Over the years, many students have presented their findings on the role of genes in cardiac growth and the potential relationship between breast and bone cancer.

"Bucknell allows a superb give-and-take between students and teachers that really allows both to do the best they can," he says.

Teaching areas

• Introduction to molecules and cells
• Molecular biology
• Biochemical methods
• Virology
• Tropical marine biology in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands

Research interests

• Molecular biology
• Regulation of gene expression
• Regulation of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system
• Regulation of bone remodeling and growth

Recent publications

• Baker, K.M., M. I. Chernin, T. Schreiber, S. Sanghi, S. Haiderzaidi, G. W. Booz, D. E. Dostal, and R. Kumar. 2004. Evidence of a novel intracrine mechanism in angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Regulatory Peptides 120:5-13.
• Kinsey, C. G., P. Cassoni, G. Bussolati, T. Kimura, M.C. Pizzorno, M.I. Chernin, and J. F. Novak. Submitted. Constitutive and ligand-induced nuclear localization of oxytocin receptor.
• Takahashi, M., M. Chernin, O. Yamamoto, J. Tonzetich, C. G. Kinsey and J. F. Novak. 2002. Transformation of MC3T3-E1 cells following stress and transfection with SV40 regulatory sequences. Anticancer Research 22:585-598.
• Novak, J.F., M.B. Judkins, M.I. Chernin, P. Cassoni, G. Bussolati, J.A. Nitche and S.K. Nishimoto. 2000. A plasmin-derived hexapeptide from the carboxyl end of osteocalcin counteracts oxytocin-mediated growth inhibition of osteosarcoma cells. Cancer Research 60:3470-3476.

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