Education

2001    Ph.D.in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology          Purdue University

Dissertation title:  “Interaction of the Virally Encoded Fungal Toxin KP4 with Calcium Channels”

Advisor:   Prof. Thomas J. Smith

1996    B.S. in Chemistry with Honors                                 University of Wyoming

B.S. in Molecular Biology with Honors                    University of Wyoming

Professional experience

2015 – Present           Associate Professor

University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Chemistry

2011 – 2014              Associate Professor

Northern Arizona University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

2005 – 2011              Assistant Professor

Northern Arizona University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

2001 – 2005              Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Delaware, Department of Chemical Engineering

Advised by Professor Anne Skaja Robinson

1996 – 2001              Research Assistant

                                    Purdue University, Department of Biology

Advised by Professor Thomas J. Smith

   1995-1996                Undergraduate Research Assistant,

University of Wyoming, Department of Chemistry

Advisor – Dr. Dean Roddick

1994-1995               Undergraduate Research Assistant

University of Wyoming, Department of Chemistry

Advisor – Dr. Edward Clennan

Peer-Reviewed Publications

1. Dutta, S., C. Tsiros, S.L. Sundar, H. Athar, J. Moore, B. Nelson, M.J. Gage, K. Nishikawa (2018) “Calcium increases titin N2A binding to F-actin and regulated thin filaments” Scientific Reports,8(1): 1-11
2. Tiffany, H., K. Sonkar, M.J. Gage (2017) “The Insertion Sequence of the N2A Region of Titin Exists in an Extended Structure with Helical Characteristics” BBA Proteins and Proteomics.1865(1): 1-10
3. Done, A.J., M.J. Gage, N.C. Nieto, T. Traustadottir (2016) “Exercised-induced Nrf2 signaling is impaired in aging” Free Radical Biology and Medicine96: 130-138.
4. Purohit, R., B. G. Fritz, J. The, A. Issaian, A. Weichsel, C. L. David, E. V. Campbell, A. C. Haurath, L. Rassouli-Taylor, E. D. Garcin, M. J. Gage, W. R. Montfort. (2014) “YC-1 Binding to the Beta Subunit of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Overcomes Allosteric Inhibition by the Alpha Subunit.” Biochemistry53(1): 101-114
5. Ma, W. K., Hendrix, C. Stewart, E. V. Campbell, M. Lavarias, K. Morris, S. Nichol, M.J. Gage.(2013) “FlgM proteins from different bacteria exhibit different structural characteristics.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Proteins & Proteomics1834: 808-816.
6. Heintze, E., C. Aguilera, M. Davis, A. Fricker, Q. Li, J. Martinez, M. J. Gage. (2011) “Exposure to uranium complexes results in upregulation of p53 mediated pathways.” J Inorg Biochem105(2): 142-8.
7. Molloy, R.G., W. K. Ma, A. C. Allen, K. Greenwood, L. Bryan, R. Sacora, L. Williams, M. J. Gage. “Aquifex aeolicus FlgM protein does not exhibit the disordered character of the Salmonella TyphimuriumFlgM protein.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Proteins & Proteomics doi:10.1016/j.bbapap.2010.03.002
8. Webber, T. M., A. C. Allen, W.K. Ma, R.G. Molloy, C. N. Kettelkamp, C.A. Dow, M. J. Gage. (2009). “Conformational detection of p53’s oligomeric state by FlAsH Fluorescence.” Biochem Biophys Res Commun384(1): 66-70.
9. Webber, T., S. Gurung, J. Saul, T. Baker, M. Spatara, M. Freyer, A.S. Robinson, M. J. Gage. (2009). “The C-terminus of the P22 tailspike protein acts as an independent oligomerization domain for monomeric proteins.” Biochem J419(3): 595-602.
10. Gage, M.J., J.L. Zak, and A.S. Robinson, 2005. Three Amino Acids that are Critical to Formation and Stability of the P22 Tailspike Trimer. Protein Science, 14(9): 2333-2343
11. Gage M.J., B.L. Lefebvre, A.S. Robinson, Determinants of P22 Tailspike Folding and Aggregation., in Misbehaving Proteins: Protein (Mis)Folding, Aggregation, and Stability, eds R. Murphy and A. Tsai, ACS press, invited review.
12. Lefebvre, B.L., N.K. Comolli, M.J. Gage, A.S. Robinson, 2004. Pressure Dissociation Studies Provide Insight Into Oligomerization Competence of Temperature-Sensitive Mutants of P22 Tailspike, Protein Science. 13(6): 1538-46.
13. Lefebvre, B.L., M.J. Gage, A.S. Robinson, 2004. Maximizing Recovery of Native Protein from Aggregates by Optimizing Pressure Treatment, Biotechnology Progress. 20(2): 623-9.
14. Gage, M.J., A. S. Robinson, 2003. C-Terminal Hydrophobic Interactions Play a Critical Role in Oligomeric Assembly of the P22 Tailspike Trimer Protein Science. 12(12): 2732-47.
15. Gage, M.J., S. G. Rane, G. H. Hockerman, T. J. Smith, 2002. The Virally Encoded Fungal Toxin KP4 Specifically Blocks L-Type Voltage Gated Calcium Channels.Molecular Pharmacology61 (4) 936-944.
16. Gage, M.J., J. Bruenn, M. Fischer, D. Sanders, T. J. Smith, 2001. KP4 Fungal Toxin Inhibits Growth in Ustilago maydisby Blocking Calcium Uptake. Molecular Microbiology. 41(4):775-785.

Seminar Presentations (past 5 years)

1. “Titin: A Giant in the Protein Field” Invited Seminar, Mount Holyoke University, February 22, 2019
2. ““Titin: A Giant in the Protein Field” Invited Seminar, Rhode Island College, February 21, 2019
3. “Varying Stability of the Immunoglobulin Domains in Titin’s N2A Region” Invited Seminar, 47th European Muscle Conference, August 31, 2018
4. “Understanding how the Structure of Titin’s N2A Region Drives Function in Active Muscles” Invited Seminar, Clark University, October 26, 2018
5. “Exploring the Relationship between Splicing and Titin Function” Invited Seminar, Shriners Hospital, June 1, 2017
6. “Engineering Elasticity: How Changes in the Structure of Titin Modulates Muscle Function” Invited Seminar, Tulane University, February 16, 2017
7. “Exploring the Role of the N2A Region of Titin in Skeletal Muscle Function” Invited Seminar, Bridgewater State, October 21, 2016
8. “Exploring the Role of the N2A Region of Titin in Skeletal Muscle Function” Invited Seminar, Boston University, April 19, 2016
9. “Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: Finding Function in the Absence of Structure” Invited Seminar, University of New Hampshire, March 25, 2016