Dr. Hai Kinal

Education

B.S., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1987
M.A., SUNY @ Buffalo, 1990
Ph.D., SUNY @ Buffalo, 1993
Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 1993-1998

Courses Taught

BIOL 130, 131, 132, and 133, Anatomy and Physiology, lecture and labs
BIOL 280 and 281, Genetics, lecture and labs
BIOL 241 and 242, Developmental Biology, lecture and labs

Office Hours

M - F, 11 AM - 12 PM (Note: I may be in my office or on the main floor of Babson library on Fridays)

Professional Interests

My research interests are many. Currently, my undergraduate research students and I are studying cartilage cells, or chondrocytes. We are looking into the effects of various nutritional supplements on the growth and development of these cells in culture. In order to simulate real cartilage, we are growing chondrocytes in three-dimensional collagen gels. We hope to understand the molecular clues and pathways that will stimulate the growth and production of chondrocytes. This knowledge will aid in the treatment of arthritis and the repair of dense connective tissue such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

I enjoy introducing students to the world of science at the molecular level. Understanding the molecules of biology elucidates functions at the cellular, organismal, and animal level. Biotechnology is an offshoot of the molecular biology revolution. I hope to bring in real world problems and discoveries, such as cancer, gene therapy, and DNA fingerprinting, and explain their molecular basis to my students.

My research interests involve the enzymes that repair and recombine DNA. These proteins, when defective, increase the incidence of cancer. Understanding their function and how to use them will not only help prevent cancer, but will enhance gene therapy treatments currently in use. I hope to continue my work in this area soon. Currently, I am collaborating with a Dr. Susan Keys (see her faculty web page for more info.) to examine the effects of creatine monophosphate on cultured mice liver cells. I am also working with Dr. Margaret Reece of Baystate Medical Center toward an early screening assay for ovarian cancer.

Personal Interests