Kirst King-Jones, PhD

Contact

Professor, Faculty of Science - Biological Sciences

Email: kingjone@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-8605
Address: G-504 Bio Science - Genetics Wing
11355 - Saskatchewan Drive

Edmonton AB

T6G 2E9

Overview

Research

Steroid hormones are ancient signaling molecules that play fundamental roles in development and disease. For instance, steroid hormones are critical regulators of reproductive tissues in humans, and are a key determinant of insect development. In addition, steroid hormones play crucial roles in maintaining mineral salt concentrations, and control stress as well as inflammatory responses in humans. Steroid hormones are usually released as pulses, thereby generating a systemic timing signal that functions to coordinate multiple physiological and developmental changes throughout the body. In Drosophila, pulses of the steroid hormone ecdysone govern all major developmental transitions, including the larval molts, the transformation of a larva to a pupa and metamorphosis. While we have a relatively good understanding of the enzymatic steps that synthesize the hormone, comparatively little is known about the complex signaling pathways that control these pulses. Currently, we are modeling the function of rare human disease genes in Drosophila by exploring their unexpected relationships to the cellular signaling pathways that control the regulation and production of steroid hormones pulses.

Visit our lab homepage for more information...

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Announcements

2017: Interested in joining our lab? We have opportunities for PhD students and BIOL498/499!

September 1. Welcome to our new lab member, Song Wang!

August 25. Pendleton Cox Master's Thesis defence.

August 18. Check out our latest paper on circadian rhythms:

U of A press release.

Publisher site.

August 15: Dr. Qiuxiang Ou leaves our lab (congrats on the new job!!)

Courses

BIOL 207 - Molecular Genetics and Heredity

The chromosomal and molecular basis for the transmission and function of genes. The construction of genetic and physical maps of genes and genomes. Strategies for the isolation of specific genes. Examples of regulatory mechanisms for the expression of the genetic material in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 or SCI 100.

Fall Term 2024

GENET 304 - Gene Expression and its Regulation

The molecular biology of the processes by which the base sequence of genes is expressed as cellular phenotype will be examined. Emphasis will be placed upon the similarities and differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes and upon the mechanisms that regulate the operation of particular genes. Prerequisite: GENET 270.

Winter Term 2025

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Featured Publications

A Drosophila Genome-Wide Screen Identifies Regulators of Steroid Hormone Production and Developmental Timing.

E. Thomas Danielsen, Morten E. Moeller, Naoki Yamanaka, Qiuxiang Ou, Janne M. Laursen, Caecilie Soenderholm, Ran Zhuo, Brian Phelps, Kevin Tang, Jie Zeng, Shu Kondo, Christian H. Nielsen, Eva B. Harvald,6 Nils J. Faergeman,6 Macy J. Haley, Kyle A. O’Connor, Kirst King-Jones, Michael B. O’Connor, and Kim F. Rewitz

Developmental Cell. 37