Research Scientist

Contact Information:

Cheryl Dvorak
Veterinary Sciences Building, Room 239C
1971 Commonwealth Ave
St. Paul, MN  55108
Tel:  612-624-4926
Internet: dvora013@umn.edu

Educational Background

B.S. Drake University 1993
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin - Madison 2000

Research Interests

I am interested in examining the differential gene expression in porcine intestinal tissues in response to challenge by various organisms. In order to examine this differential expression we have decided to create a cDNA microarray PorkChip that contains genes involved in the immune system or in the intestinal tissues of pigs. The goal is to create a microarray chip that can then be used to examine intestinal tissues at different time points during challenge with different organisms to thus determine which genes might be involved in the host response to challenge. We will then need to examine these genes more in depth to determine how the immune system is actually responding to each challenge and at what point is each gene involved. We would also like to know how the immune response differs depending upon challenge, such as why food antigens do not cause an immune response, even though they are foreign antigens.

Selected Publications

Chang CC, Yoon KJ, Zimmerman JJ, Harmon KM, Dixon PM, Dvorak CM, Murtaugh MP. Evolution of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus during Sequential Passages in Pigs. J Virol. 2002 May;76(10):4750-63.

Dvorak CM, Hall DJ, Hill M, Riddle M, Pranter A, Dillman J, Deibel M, Palmenberg AC. Leader protein of encephalomyocarditis virus binds zinc, is phosphorylated during viral infection, and affects the efficiency of genome translation. Virology. 2001 Nov 25;290(2):261-71.

Experimental Biology meeting 2002. Poster: MICROARRAY ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN PORCINE PEYER'S PATCH.  C.M.T. Dvorak, K.A. Hyland, M.S. Rutherford, and M.P. Murtaugh

Experimental Biology meeting 2001. Poster: Immune gene expression from porcine jejunal tissue in response to acute infection by Salmonella choleraesuis. Kendra Hyland, Cheryl Dvorak, Alan Wang, Mark Rutherford, Ben Green, David Brown, and Michael Murtaugh

Honors and Awards

PharmacoNeuro Immunology training grant recipient 2000-current
Molecular biosciences training grant recipient 1996 - 1998

Interests and Activities

Outside of science, I enjoy doing aerobic kickboxing, playing soccer, and hiking and bicycling for fun. My hobbies include: sewing/quilting, cross-stitch, making greeting cards, reading science fiction/fantasy books, working outside on our yard, and making jams and jellies from freshly picked fruit.