Peter Oelkers, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Biochemistry
Peter Oelkers
College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters
Natural Sciences
[email protected]
313-583-6579
219 Science Faculty Center | 4901 Evergreen Road | Dearborn, MI 48128
schedule Fall: Mondays, 11 am-1 pm; Fridays, 2-3 pm. Winter: Mondays, 10 am-noon, Thursdays, 11 am-noon
Curriculum Vitae

Teaching Areas:

Biochemistry, Biological Sciences

Research Areas:

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

Biography and Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Lipid Biochemistry and Yeast Genetics, Columbia University - College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 1996-2001.
  • Ph.D., Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology, Wake Forest University – Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 1996.
  • B.S., Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 1991.

Teaching and Research

Courses Taught

Research

Dr. Oelkers’ research addresses the question, “How do cells allocate fatty acids?” Fatty acids are linear hydrocarbons with species differing regarding length and the number and location of double bonds. Prior to utilization fatty acids are converted to acyl-CoA, the substrate for a variety of acyltransferase enzymes. Accordingly, acyltransferases are a focus of study since they are central to the allocation of fatty acids species among triglycerides, phospholipids, and proteins. Regarding phospholipids, this allocation influences the biophysical properties and thus function of cell membranes. Dr. Oelkers’ main pedagogical goal is to empower students to thrive in a professional setting. Problem solving and data analysis are featured.

Selected Publications

* Indicates undergraduate authors

  • Wong, D.W.*, Plumb, J.*, Talab, H.*, Kurdi, M.*, Pokhrel, K., Oelkers, P. (2019) Genetically compromising phospholipid metabolism limits Candida albicans’ virulence. Mycopathologia 184:  213 - 226.
  • Oelkers, P., Pokhrel, K. (2016) Four acyltransferases uniquely contribute to phospholipid heterogeneity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lipid Insights 9: 31 - 41.
  • Jain, S., Dholakia, H.*, Kirtley, W.*, Oelkers, P. (2016) Energy storage in yeast: regulation and competition with ethanol production. Current Microbiology 73: 851 - 858.
  • Oelkers, P. (2016) Semester-long inquiry-based molecular biology laboratory: transcriptional regulation in yeast. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 45: 145- 151.
  • Renauer, P.*, Nasiri, N.*, Oelkers, P. (2015) Saccharomyces cerevisiae lysophospholipid acyltransferase, Lpt1, requires Asp146 and Glu297 for catalysis. J. Lipid Res. 56: 2143 - 2150.
  • Ayyash, M.*, Algahmi, A.*, Gillespie, J., Oelkers, P. (2014) Characterization of a lysophospholipid acyltransferase involved in membrane remodeling in Candida albicans. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 184: 505 - 513.

Awards and Recognition

  • R15, Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) grant funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS): “Elucidating the mechanisms within and among enzymes that coordinate and regulate phospholipid acyl chain composition,” $300,000, 2019-2022.
  • Nominations for a Distinguished Teaching Award:  2012-2013, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016.
  • Undergraduate researcher Amal Algahmi won the “Best Undergraduate Poster” in the Systems Biology category at the 2013 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology national meeting.