Awards and Honors
2001-2008 Nathan Edward Tolbert Memorial Fellow, Michigan State University
2001-2008 Plant Sciences Fellow, Michigan State University
2008-2011 NIH/NIGMS Post-doctoral fellow
Research Focus:
My long-term research interest is to understand the molecular and ecological basis of major evolutionary state transitions. The primary question my laboratory investigates is how did multicellular organisms evolve? Multicellular organisms are those we most commonly perceive in our “macro” environment, yet little is known about the molecular and ecological basis of multicellular evolution unknown.
To study the evolution of multicellularity, my laboratory uses green algae as a model system. The volvocacean algae have been an important “textbook” model for multicellular evolution for many years. The volvocales are an order of closely related, recently diverged algal species that range from unicellular to multicellular (Fig. 1).  Well known member species include the unicellular algae Chlamydomas reinhardtii and Volvox carteri.
The morphological and evolutionary progression of the volvocales suggests stepwise evolution of multicellularity, starting with colony formation between unicells (e.g. Gonium), then a stepwise progression of cell expansion, division of labor, specialization and tissue differentiation (e.g. Volvox). Despite their morphological differences, the genomes of Chlamydomonas and Volvox are remarkably similar, suggesting that multicellularity requires few genetic changes.
My laboratory is utilizing two key approaches for understanding the molecular basis of multicellular evolution. First, my laboratory is leading a consortium to sequence the genomes and determine the developmental transcriptional profiles of several key volvocales. Second, my laboratory is using a systems biology approach toward determining which genes are important for all steps of multicellularity. My laboratory is particularly interested in understanding how and why individual unicells formed groups of cooperative cells, termed colonialism. To do this we are focusing on Gonium (Fig. 1) as a model for colonial evolution.
Understanding how and why individual cells evolved into multicellular organisms is an important evolutionary question and is important for our understanding of how human bodies maintain organizational control over cells. For example, human cancer is a fundamental loss of control of the growth and division of cells within the tissues of the body. Many of the genes defective in human cancers have been identified, however little is known about how multicellular organisms evolved control over their individual constituent cells. Long term, research in my laboratory is aimed at understanding how organisms evolved regulatory pathways controlling cell growth, division, and differentiation so that new approaches to cancer treatment could be developed.
Scientific opportunities in the Olson lab
My laboratory offers exceptional opportunities for young scientists to develop their careers in a stimulating environment. My laboratory provides mentoring for scientists at all levels interested in all career paths.
I am currently looking for exceptional post-docs, graduate students and undergraduate students to join my laboratory. Please contact my by email if you are interested in joining my laboratory.
Post-doctoral scientists
A post-doctoral position is currently available in the Olson lab. Scientists interested in alga molecular genetics, genomics or cell cycle evolution are especially encouraged to contact me. Post-docs are expected to participate in the core research activities of the laboratory, but will be given resources to develop independent projects.
Graduate students
I am currently accepting graduate students interested in algal molecular genetics, genomics and/or computational genomics. Students with significant past experience in field based ecology interested in learning molecular genetics are also welcomed. Interested students should contact me to arrange a rotation.
Undergraduates
Several undergraduate positions are available in my laboratory. Undergraduate students at all stages of their careers are encouraged to contact me to discuss opportunities in my laboratory. All undergraduate students will have the opportunity to learn science hands-on in exciting laboratory environment.
Selected Research Publications
Olson, B.J.S.C., M. Olberholzer, Y. Li, J.M. Zones, H..S Kohli, K. Bisova, J. Meisenhelder, T. Hunter, and .JG. Umen.
2010. Regulation of the Chlamydomonas cell cycle by a stable, chromatin-associated
retinoblastoma tumor suppressor complex. The Plant Cell 22(10):3331-47.
Olson, B.J.S.C., Q. Wang, and K.W. Osteryoung. 2010. GTP-dependent heteropolymer formation and bundling
of chloroplast FtsZ1 and FtsZ2. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 285(27): 20634-20643.
Ferris, P., B.J.S.C. Olson, P. de Hoff, S. Douglass, D. Diaz-Cano, S. Prochnik, S. Geng, R. Rai, J. Grimwood, J.
Schmutz, I. Nishii, T. Hamaji, H. Nozaki, M. Pellegrini, and J.G. Umen. 2010. Evolution of an expanded sexdetermining
locus in Volvox. Science. 328: 351-4.
Schmitz, A.J., J.M. Glynn, B.J.S.C. Olson, K.D. Stokes, K.W. Osteryoung. 2009. Arabidopsis FtsZ2-1 and FtsZ2-2
are functionally redundant, but FtsZ-Based plastid division is not essential for chloroplast partitioning or
plant growth and development. Molecular Plant. 2(6): 1211-22).
McAndrew, R.S., B.J.S.C. Olson, D. Kadirjan-Kalbach, C.H. Chi-Ham, J.E. Froelich, and .KW. Osteryoung. 2008. In
vivo quantitative relationship between plastid division proteins FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 and identification of ARC6
and ARC3 in a native FtsZ complex. Biochemical Journal 412: 367–378.
Yoder, D.W., D. Kadirjan-Kalbach, B.J.S.C. Olson, S. Miyagishima, S. DeBlasio, R. Hangarter, and K.W. Osteryoung.
2007. Effects of mutations in Arabidopsis FtsZ1 on plastid division, FtsZ ring formation and positioning,
and FtsZ filament morphology in vivo. Plant and Cell Physiology 48(6): 775-791.
Olson, B.J.S.C., M. Skavdahl, H. Ramberg, J.C. Osterman, and J. Markwell. 2000. Formate Dehydrogenase in
Arabidopsis thalina: Characterization and possible targeting to the chloroplast. Plant Science 160(2): 205-
212.
Skavdahl, M., B.J.S.C. Olson, J.P. Markwell, and J.C. Osterman. 1999. Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA
encoding 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from Arabidopsis (accession number AF162279). Plant
Physiology 121: 313.
|
