Tomomi Takeuchi
Tomomi completed her PhD dissertation in the lab of Dr. Christoph Benning. Her research focused on better understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cellular proliferation and quiescence in the model green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Tomomi discovered that Chlamydomonas Compromised Hydrolysis of Triacylglycerols 7 (CHT7) protein with a proposed role in the regulation of quiescence is necessary for the repression of cell cycle-related gene expression and the optimal survival of cells during nitrogen (N) deprivation-induced quiescence, in addition to their subsequent re-entry into the cell division cycle upon N refeeding. In addition, the C-terminal disordered region of CHT7, and not its CXC domain with a proposed role in DNA binding, was identified as essential for its function. Tomomi now works as a scientist at Charles River Laboratories, in the department of Biomarkers and Investigative Pathology.