NYIT: Department of Life Sciences

School address: Dept. of Life Sciences New York Institute of Tech K. Riland (NYCOM II) Room 333 Northern Boulevard Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000 Phone:516-686-3877 Fax: 516-686-3853 Email:cgagna@nyit.edu

Faculty Profile

Claude Gagna, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of life Sciences,

School of Health Professionals, Behavioral and Life Sciences,

New York Institute of Technology,

Old Westbury, New York.

Phone: 516-686-3877

Fax: 516-686-3853

E-mail: cgagna@nyit.edu

Education:
Ph.D. in Anatomy (Biochemistry). New York University, New York, NY.
Postdoctoral Fellowship(Natural Sciences), Dept. of Biochemistry, New York University,NY.
Postdoctoral Fellowship(Molecular Biology).Dept. of Physiology,University of Medicine of N.J.,Newark,NJ.

M.S.in Anatomy(Biochemistry),Fairleigh Dickinson University,Hackensack,NJ.

B.S.in Biology,Saint Peters College, Jersy City,NJ.

Academic & Clinical Appointments:
1999–Present Associate Professor, Dept. of Life Sciences, New York Institute of Technology
                        Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pathology, University of Medicine & Dentistry, NJ
                        Assisitant Professor, School of Medicine, University of Medicine & Dentistry, NJ
                        Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, FDU

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:
1. FAIC: Fellow American Institute of Chemists. American Institute of Chemists, Bethesda, MD.
2. CChem MRSC: Member Royal Society of Chemistry. RSC,Cambridge,UK.
3. ChE: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, NY.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL HONORS:
1. Leonardo DaVinci Award for Achievement in Science.
2. Faculty Scholars Reception Award, NYIT.
3. Deans "Award for Outstanding Research", NYIT.

Research Interests:
My research involves the examination of B-DNA, Z-DNA, triplex DNA and quadruplex DNA in the normal and abnormal tissues. My final goal is the development of a nonsurgical treatment for human cataracts, skin cancer and regulating various oncogenes, using DNA (RNA) and small molecule drug probes.Additionally, I have developed two new genomics approaches towards disease, viz.,''transitional structural chemogenomics"and'transitional structural chemoproteomics". My research involves DNA-RNA-Protein nanotechnology, with the production of novel nucleic acid and tissue microarrays. I am also active in both DNA nanotechnology (bio-medical devices)and DNA nanoelectronics,viz.,next generation DNA computer chips.

Current Professional Activities:

American Medical Association.Biophysical Society.
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
American Association of Anatomists. American Chemical Society.
Royal Society of Chemistry.Human Genome Organization.
American Institute of Chemical Engineering.
American Association of University Professors.

Selected Journal Articles-Original Papers:

C.E.Gagna, et.al.(1997). The Localization of B-DNA and Z-DNA in Terminaly Differentiatiating Fiber Cells in the Adult Lens.J. Histochem. Cytochem. 45:1511-1521.

C.E.Gagna, et.al.(2001). Comparison of Apoptosis and Terninal Differentiation: The Mammalian Aging Process. J Histochem Cytochem.49:929-9310.

C.E.Gagna, et.al.(2003).The Halting Arrival of Left-Handed Z-DNA. Med.Hypothesis.60:418-423.

Patents and Pending Patents:
Multi-Stranded DNA (RNA) Microarray:U.S.Patent No.60/308,936.
International Patent No. W02003012124.
European Patent No. F81855PCTEP.
Japanese Patent No. K-T104-209.