Karen Berkowitz
Assistant Professor
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Drexel University College of Medicine
United States of America
Biography
Dr. Berkowitz is an assistant professor in the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Obstetrics & Gynecology at Drexel University College of Medicine. MD - Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y. (1993)
Research Interest
Dr. Berkowitz's research interests include mammalian germ cell development. The germ cell complement and the processes of germ cell development determine reproductive potential. Factors that reduce germ cell number or interfere with gametogenesis can limit or even preclude reproduction, leading to infertility. She is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern mammalian gametogenesis and uses the mouse as the model experimental system. Her studies focus on meiosis, meiotic recombination, and chromosome segregation, processes that are crucial to germ cell development and genome integrity.
Publications
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Berkowitz KM, Kaestner KH, Jongens TA. Germline expression of mammalian CTF18, an evolutionarily conserved protein required for germ cell proliferation in the fly and sister chromatid cohesion in yeast. MHR: Basic science of reproductive medicine. 2008 Feb 4;14(3):143-50.
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Berkowitz KM, Sowash AR, Koenig LR, Urcuyo D, Khan F, Yang F, Wang PJ, Jongens TA, Kaestner KH. Disruption of CHTF18 causes defective meiotic recombination in male mice. PLoS genetics. 2012 Nov 1;8(11):e1002996.
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Brooker AS, Berkowitz KM. The roles of cohesins in mitosis, meiosis, and human health and disease. Cell Cycle Control: Mechanisms and Protocols. 2014:229-66.
