Dr. Nicole Bournias-Vardiabasis
Research  *  Publications  *  Classes
Professor - Biology

B.S., UC Irvine 1975

Ph.D., University of Essex,
UK 1978

Office: BI-317
Office Phone: 909/537.5309 
Email: nbournia@csusb.edu
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Research Interests:

Developmental Biology and Teratology

Areas of Current Research

Currently investigating the possible relationship between altered programmed cell death pattern in embryos, heat shock protein induction after teratogen-exposure.

Development of GFP reporter constructs that can identify early neurogenic gene pathways in Drosophila.

Anti-aging treatments in Drosophila melanogaster.

Role of tumor suppresor gene l(2)gl  in Drosophila melanogaster embryonic development: an in vitro model.

Areas of Previous Research

Genetic and developmental analysis of tumorous head, a third chromosome homeotic mutant of Drosophila melanogaster. Development of an EMS screen for the third chromosome which produced a tumorous head allele.

Neuronal and muscle development during Drosophila embryogenesis.

Use of amniotic fluid and chorionic villi cells to assess environmentally induced heat shock proteins in the fetus. Induction of heat shock proteins and their role in abnormal development.

Assessing effect of Electro-magnetic fields (EMF)   on Drosophila embryonic development. Investigating the possible connection between telomerase activity and programmed cell death after exposure to EMF.

Utilization of P-mediated transformed Drosophila to investigate promoter control and expression of heat shock proteins.

Classes taught:

Bio 216 - Genetics and Society
Bio 400 - Molecular Biology
Bio 402 - Genetic Engineering
Bio 421 - Genetics  
Bio 440 - Principles of Development
Bio 528 - Concepts in Molecular Genetics - Cancer

Bio 600 - Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology
Bio 650 - Advanced Topics in Genetics

Bio 660 – Advanced Topics in Developmental Biology

 
 
Representative Publications:

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Pifer, S (2003).  Gender Verification: Determination of the Status Quo. IDISEEP Proceedings.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Nguyen, P., and Phillips, J. L (2002). Exposure of Drosophila Embryonic Cells to a 60Hz Sinusoidal Magnetic Field: Effect on Teratogenesis and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression. Alternatives in Animal Testing. Vol 3.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Huh, K. W., Hopkins, K., and Chun, T-W. (1998). Induction of low molecular weight heat shock proteins on Drosophila and human embryonic lineage cells after teratogens exposure. In Salem and Katz's "Advances in Animal Alternatives for Safety and Efficacy Testing" .

    Koundakjian, E. J., Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Haggren, W., Adey, W. R., and Phillips, J. L. (1996). Exposure of Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cell cultures to 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields: Expression of heat shock proteins 23 and 27. In Vitro Toxicology 3:281-289.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Nguyen, P., and Phillips, J. L. (1995). Exposure of Drosophila cells to a 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field: Effect on teratogenesis and heat shock protein 70 expressions. Alternative Methods in Toxicology 11:153:159.

     
     

    Nguyen, P., Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Haggren, W., Adey, W. R. and Phillips, J. L.. (1995). Exposure of Drosophila melanogaster Embryonic Cell Cultures of 60 Hz Sinusoidal Magnetic Fields: Assessment of Potential Teratogenic Effects. Teratology 51:273-277.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N. (1994). Teratogen detection assay using fruit fly embryos. Humane Innovations and Alternatives. 8:630-634.

     

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Hopkins, K., Teigen, J., and Chun, T W., (1993). Induction of low molecular weight heat shock proteins in Drosophila: contributors to normal development or to teratogenesis? Europ. Dros Res. Conf. 13:113.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Nugyen, P., Haggren, W., Adey, W. R., and Phillips, J. L. (1993). Teratogenic response of Drosophila embryonic cells to 60 Hz magnetic field exposure with and without chemical teratogens. Europ. Dros. Res. Conf. 13.

     
     

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Hopkins, K., and Wang, B. (1993). Evaluating teratogen exposure utilizing cDNA. Alternative Methods in Toxicology 9:226.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N. Flores, J. and Buzin, C. (1990). Differential expression of heat shock proteins in Drosophila embryonic cells following metal ion exposure. Experimental Cell Research 189:177-182.

     
     

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N. (1990). Drosophila melanogaster embryo cultures: An in vitro teratogen assay. ATLA 18:291-300.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., Ananthan-Nair, J., and Voellmy, R. (1990). Detection of teratogens by utilization of -galactosidase reporter gene technology. Teratology 41:539.
    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N. 1990. Drosophila melanogaster embryo cultures: an in vitro teratogen assay. ATLA, 18:291-300.
    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N., C. Buzin, and J. Flores. Differential expression of heat shock proteins in Drosophila embryonic cells following metal ion exposure. Experimental Cell Research, 189:177-182.

     
     

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N. 1987. Altered differentiation and induction of heat shock proteins in Drosophila embryonic cells associated with teratogen treatment. Banbury Reports 26: 3-16.

  •  
    • Salvaterra, P. M., N. Bournias-Vardiabasis, T. Nair, G. Hou and C. Lieu. 1987. In vitro neuronal differentiation of Drosophila embryo cells. J. Neurosci. 7: 10-22.

     
     

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N. and J. C. Flores. 1986. Response of Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells to tumor promoters: Carcinogens as teratogens. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 85: 196-206.

    Bournias-Vardiabasis, N. and C. Buzin. 1986. Developmental effects of chemicals and the heat shock responses in Drosophila cells. Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis 6: 523-536.