Michael Savka
Professor
Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science
585-475-5141
Office Location
Michael Savka
Professor
Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science
Education
BS, West Virginia University; MS, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bio
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585-475-5141
Areas of Expertise
Plant Microbiology
Genomics
Select Scholarship
Journal Paper
MA., Gan HM, Gan HY, Ahmad NH, Aziz NA, Hudson AO, Savka. "Whole Genome Sequencing and Analysis Reveal Insights into the Genetic Structure, Diversity and Evolutionary Relatedness of LuxI and luxR Homologs in Bacteria Belonging to the Sphingomonadaceae Family." Front Cell Infect Microbiol. Jan 8. 4:188 (2015): 1-14. Web.
Gan, HY, et al. "Whole-Genome Sequences of Five Oligotrophic Bacteria Isolated from Deep within Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico." Genome Announcements 2. 6 (2014): 1-2. Web.
Triassi, AJ, et al. "L,L-diaminopimelate Aminotransferase (DapL): A Putative Target for the Development of Narrow-spectrum Antibacterial Compounds." Frontiers in Microbiology 5. 509 (2014): 1-10. Web.
Gan, HM, et al. "High-Quality Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Three Strains of Enterobacter Isolated from Jamaican Dioscorea cayenensis (Yellow Yam)." Genome Announcements 2. 2 (2014): 1-2. Web.
Gan, HY, et al. "Whole-genome Sequences of 13 Endophytic Bacteria Isolated From Shrub Willow (Salix) Grown in Geneva, New York." Genome Announc. 2. 3 (2014): 1-2. Web.
Gan, Han Ming, et al. "Comparative Genomic Analysis of Six Bacteria Belonging to the Genus Novosphingobium: Insights into Marine Adaptation, Cell-cell Signaling and Bioremediation." BMC Genomics 14. 431-445 (2013): 431-445. Web.
McCroty, Sean E, et al. "Biochemical Characterization of UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamyl:meso-2,6-diaminopimelate ligase (MurE) from Verrucomicrobium spinosum." PLOSone 8. 6 (2013): e66458. Web.
Gan, HM, et al. "Genome Sequence of Methylobacterium Sp. Strain GXF4, a Xylem Associated Bacterium Isolated from Vitis Vinifera L. Grapevine." Journal of Bacteriology 194. (2012): 5157-5158. Print.
Gan, HM, et al. "Whole Genome Sequence of Enterobacter Sp. SST3: An Endophyte Isolated from Jamaica Sugarcane (Saccharum Sp.) Stalk Tissue." Journal of Bacteriology 194. (2012): 5981-5982. Print.
Gan, HM, et al. "Genome Sequence of Novosphingobium Sp. Strain Rr 2-17, A Nopaline Crown Gall Associated Bacterium Isolated from Vitis Vinifera L. Grapevine." Journal of Bacteriology 194. (2012): 5137-5138. Print.
Bulman, Zack, et al. "A Novel Property of Propolis (bee glue): Anti-pathogenic Activity by Inhibition of N-acyl-homoserine Lactone Mediated Signaling in Bacteria." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 138. (2011): 788-797. Print.
Book Chapter
Savka, Michael A, et al. "Biased Rhizosphere? Concept and Advances in the Omics Era to Study Bacterial Competitiveness and Persistence in the Phytosphere." Molecular Microbial Ecology of the Rhizosphere. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013. 1147-1161. Print.
Savka, Michael A., et al. "Grapevine Pathogens Spreading with Sropagating Plant stock: Detection and Methods for Elimination." Grapevines: Varieties, Cultivation. Ed. P.V. Szabo and J. Shojania. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2011. 1-88. Print.
Published Review
Savka, Michael A. and Andre O Hudson. "Bioluminescence." Rev. of Bioluminescence Biosensor Strains for the Detection of Quorum-sensing N-acyl-homoserine Lactone Signal Molecules., ed. DJ Rodgerson. Nova Scientific Publishers 2011: 49-70. Print.
Published Conference Proceedings
Bulman, Zack, Andre O. Hudson, and Michael A. Savka. "Propolis, a Product of the Bee Hive, has an Antagonistic Affect on Quorum-sensing Regulated Bioluminescence, Gene Transcription and Motility." Proceedings of the American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Meeting. Ed. K. Cornely, P. Ortiz, and M.A. Wallert. Washington, DC: American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 2011. Print.
Subki, Mior MM Ahmad, et al. "Isolation and Identification of Methylobacterium sp. From Grapevine Xylem Fluids and Mutants Deficient in Acyl-homoserine Signal Production, Abstract 818." Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology, 111th General Meeting. Ed. American Society for Microbiology. New Orleans, LA: American Society for Microbiology, 2011. Print.
Aziz, Nazrin A. and Michael A. Savka. "Screening of Transposon Mutants of Sphingobium sp. KK22 Altered in Quorum-sensing Signal Synthesis." Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Sciences, Fall 2011 Scientific Paper Day. Ed. Monroe Community College. Rochester, NY: Rochester Academy of Sciences, 2011. Print.
Sorensen, Ryan and Michael A. Savka. "Disruption of Bacterial Signaling by Beehive Plant Resins." Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Sciences, Fall 2011 Scientific Paper Day. Ed. Monroe Community College. Rochester, NY: Rochester Academy of Sciences, 2011. Print.
Currently Teaching
BIOL-295
Biology Research
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their first three years of study.
BIOL-298
Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
BIOL-301
Undergraduate Teaching Experience
1 - 4 Credits
This course allows students to assist in a class or laboratory for which they have previously earned credit. The student will assist the instructor in the operation of the course. Assistance by the student may include fielding questions, helping in workshops, and assisting in review sessions. In the case of labs, students may also be asked to help with supervising safety practices, waste manifestation, and instrumentation.
BIOL-416
Plant Biotechnology
4 Credits
In this course aspects of plant biotechnology will be investigated. Areas of concentration will include: tissue culture, genetic transformation of plant cells, regeneration of transgenic plants, and the construction and characterization of transgenic plants for food production, experimental biology investigations, and novel product(development. The laboratory will provide experiences to complement(the lecture information in plant cell culture and experiences in the use of Agrobacterium as the gene shuttle to introduce novel genetic information into plants.
BIOL-441
Genetic Engineering and Synthetic Biology
4 Credits
This is a laboratory-based course on the introduction to the theoretical basis, laboratory techniques, and applications of genetic manipulations. In the lecture sessions, students will explore the molecular methods, applications of recombinant DNA technology and the issues regarding their use on the effect of genetic engineering in medicine, agriculture, biology, forensics and other areas of technology. The laboratory session has major components: 1) techniques used in the generation of recombinant molecules, 2) use of DNA sequence information and bioinformatics in recombinant DNA applications, 3) use of inducible expression systems for production of biotechnological products, and 4) discussions of potential ethic concerns of genome modifications or enhancements.
BIOL-495
Advanced Biology Research
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
BIOL-498
Advanced Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their final two years of study.
BIOL-798
Grad Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed, graduate level tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum.
In the News
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August 23, 2019
![Muscat of Alexandria grape vine with crown gall tumors from the Southern San Joaquin Valley.]()
Researchers gain new insight about bacteria within grapevine-killing crown gall tumors
Scientists have mapped the DNA of bacteria found within a chronic disease affecting grapevines, a feat they hope will ultimately help protect the multibillion-dollar grape industry that produces juice, jelly, wine and other important products.
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April 25, 2019
![Three high school students wearing blue lab coats examine petri dish.]()
High school students publish paper with RIT scientists analyzing rare bacterium
Three high school students working in a science lab for the first time made a surprising discovery with an RIT professor. Now, the young women are co-authors on a scientific paper announcing a rare bacterium that kills e-coli.
