October 8, 2026 — A paper from the lab of Dr. Andrea Duina, professor of
biology, has been published in the journal microPublication Biology. The
paper includes six former Hendrix students as co-authors – Lauren Joseph '20, Sydney
Ozersky '17 (a technician in Duina's lab at the time), McKenzie Tucker '22, Grace
Turner '22, Michaela Edwards '19, and Michelle Huynh '17.
“Through the experiences they had in the lab, these
outstanding students gained important skills in various aspects of the
scientific process, including how to address biological questions, interpret
experimental results, and communicate their findings to other scientists, all
skills that I am sure have been very helpful to them as they moved on to their
careers beyond Hendrix,” said Dr. Duina.
The studies performed by Duina and his students were
carried out using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the
experimental system. The paper demonstrates how a specific alteration within a
component of chromosomes causes defects in how a critical cellular factor
interacts with genes. Because yeast and
human cells share a high degree of functional conservation, the results
obtained by the Duina lab are likely to have relevance to human biology as well.
“Whereas the advancement of scientific knowledge is a
major motivating factor in my work, the positive impact I believe I can make in
the lives of young students as they explore and discover their passions is an
even greater source of satisfaction for me,” Duina added. “I am very grateful
to the National Science Foundation for having provided the funding to support
these studies and to the Arkansas INBRE Program for supporting the publication
of the article.”
The paper, entitled “A histone H2A docking domain mutant
interferes with proper yFACT-gene interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae,”
can be found at https://micropublication.org/journals/biology/micropub-biology-002322.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change
Lives: 45 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and
celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic
quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus
life, and value. The College’s signature career-readiness initiative, Via
Hendrix, connects a transformative liberal arts education with a four-year plan
for life after college. Via Hendrix, every student completes a full-time,
semester-long professional co-op experience before graduation.
The Hendrix experience extends beyond the classroom, with students
participating in 21 NCAA Division III sports and a campus community shaped in
part by the College’s longstanding affiliation with the United Methodist
Church, dating to 1884. As Hendrix celebrates its Sesquicentennial in
2026–2027, the College is marking 150 years of educating students while looking
ahead to its next chapter. Learn more at via.hendrix.edu.
“… Through
engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to
diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community
inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and
joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of Purpose