INTRODUCTION
Dr. Bulla's research focuses on mechanisms controlling mammalian gene expression and development, especially in the liver. Three areas of interest include: 1) Activation and silencing of hepatic gene expression 2) Using whole-genome profiling to identify master regulators responsible for driving liver function and 3) identifying regulators of fibroblast identify. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
My EIU Story
I spent my childhood on a fruit farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. I earned an Associate degree from the local community college (now Mesa State College), then moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to pursue a degree in microbiology from the University of Colorado. I stayed to earn my Master's degree in virology on a project working with an infections herpesvirus in bovine. I then entered a PhD prgram in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Colorado and studied the molecular biology of the human Hepatis B Virus under Aleem Siddiqu, PhD. Next, I completed post-doctoral training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA in the laboratory of REK Fournier, PhD focusing on molecular mechanisms that drive cell identity in mammals. My first faculty postion was at Saint Louis University in the Department of Pediatrics at the Pedriatric Research Institute. In 2003, I moved to my current faculty position in the Department of Biological Sciences at EIU, spending 14 years in the role Associate Chair or Chair of the department.
Awards
2023 Commencement Marshal Fall 2023 EIU Graduation
2014 Graduate Dean’s Award of Excellence in Research (Eastern Illinois University)
2004 Achievement and Contribution Award, outstanding contribution to the University Eastern Illinois University
2004 Graduate Dean’s Award of Excellence in Research (Eastern Illinois University)
2004 Panhellenic Faculty Member of the Month (October)
Education & Training
B.S., Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1981
M.S., Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1983
Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, 1988
Postdoctoral Fellow, Program in Molecular Medicine, Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 1988-1993. Research area: Genetic and molecular control of a1-antitrypsin gene expression in somatic cell and microcell hybrids as a model for tissue-specific gene expression.
Conference Presentations
*Sipes, Anna, Bulla, GA. The effects of Snai2 on Neuronal and Fibroblast Gene expression. Poster presentation at the Eastern Illinois University 15th Annual Student Research and Creative Activity Conference April 21, 2023.
*Diler, Merve, Bulla, GA. The Role of Msx1 And Pura in Fibroblast and Liver Cell Identity. Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 15, 2022 hosted by Bradley University
*Sipes, Anna, Bulla, GA. Reprogramming of Mouse Neuronal Cells with Transcription Factor Snai2. Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 15, 2022 hosted by Bradley University
*Munoz-Ruiz E, *Mingze G., *Abdul A, Bulla, GA Reprogramming of Mouse Neuronal Cells with Transcription Factor Snai2 Poster presentation at the virtual Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 5-6, 2021 hosted by Eastern Illinois University
*Scroggins, MS., Bulla, GA. Genomic Dysregulation by Overexpression of Transcription Factors. Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 5-6, 2019 at Bradley University in Peoria, IL
*Jahan, I. Bulla, GA. The role of CREG1 as a Master Regulator of Liver Function. Poster presentation at Experimental Biology annual conference, April 6-9, 2019, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando FL
*H. Alzahrani, Bulla, GA. The Role of Prrx1 and Snai2 As Master Regulators of Fibroblast Identity. Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 13-14, 2018, Millikin University, Decatur, IL
*Jahan, I. Bulla, GA. The role of CREG1 as a Master Regulator of Liver Function. Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 13-14, 2018, Millikin University, Decatur, IL
*Nathan, M., Bulla, GA. “Role of HNF4 as a master regulator in liver”, Poster presentation at the Poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research Conference, April 20-21, 2017, Butler University.
*Shah, A. Bulla, GA. The Role of CREG1 as a Master Regulator of Liver Function Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 10-11, 2015, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
*Ray, T, Bulla, GA. Impact of Transcription Factors on Fibroblast Specific Gene Silencing in Somatic Cell Hybrids: A Whole Genome Approach.Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 10-11, 2015, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL. Best poster award- Cell & Developmental Biology division
*Garrett, Olivia L, Bulla, GA. “Is TIMP1 a Repressor of Liver Function?”, Poster presentation at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), April 16-18, 2015, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA
*Hunter, K, Dust, AL, Bulla, GA Deep Probing of Genome-Wide Expression Profiles Reveals Dramatic Misregulation of Genetic Networks in Hepatoma Variant Cell Lines. Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 25-26, 2014, Governors State University, Matteson, IL
*Dalla Costa, L, Bulla, GA. Is PITX1 a Repressor of Liver Function? Poster presentation at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 25-26, 2014, Governors State University, Matteson, IL Best Poster Presentation Award. Cell. Molec Division.
Bulla, GA, *Lozada, S, *Dust AL, *Aylmer CM, *Kirkewich JL, and *Estanda AE. Mapping genetic networks that dictate the mammalian phenotype using whole genome microarrays. Oral presentation at the International Conference on Functional and Comparative Genomics and Pharmacogenomics. Nov 12-14, 2014 , Chicago, IL Co Chair
*Aylmer, CM., Kurkewich, J, and , Bulla, GA. Identifying candidate genes involved in hepatic gene silencing in hepatoma variants. Poster presentation at Illinois State Academy of Science conference, March 30-31 2012, Knox College, Galesberg, IL.
*Estanda, A, and Bulla, GA. Identification of candidate genes driving liver function using whole genome microarrays. Oral presentation at Illinois State Academy of Science conference, March 30-31 2012, Knox College, Galesberg, IL.
Lopez, A., Roe, Allixandra L., and Bulla, GA. Chromosomal Mapping of Genes Silenced in Rodent Cell Hybrids. Poster presentation at Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 8-9, 2011, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Bulla, GA, *Luong, Q, *Shrestha S, Reeb S,*Hickman S. Genome-wide Analysis of Hepatic Gene Silencing in Mammalian Cell Hybrids. Poster presentation at the Keystone Symposium Mechanisms and Biology of Silencing held in Monterey, CA March 20-25, 2011.
*Allen, K, and Bulla, GA. Analysis of transcription factor promoter binding in rat hepatoma/fibroblast hybrids. Poster presentation at Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 9-10, 2010, Millikin University, Decatur, IL.
*Dust, A and Bulla, GA. Genome-wide analysis of gene silencing in mammalian cell, hybrids. Poster presentation at Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 9-10, 2010, Millikin University, Decatur, IL
*Hickman, S and Bulla, GA. Genome-wide analysis of gene silencing in mammalian cell, hybrids. Oral presentation at Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 6-7, 2009, Illinois State University, Normal, IL Best oral presentation award- Cell/Molec division.
*Angle, JC and Bulla, GA. Analysis of transcription factor promoter binding in rat hepatoma/fibroblast hybrids. Poster presentation at Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 6-7, 2009, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 2nd place, poster presentation award- Cell/Molec division.
*Hickman, S and Bulla, GA. Genome-wide analysis of gene silencing in mammalian cell, hybrids. Poster presentation at 100th Annual Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 4-5, 2008, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL.
*Angle, JC and Bulla, GA. Analysis of transcription factor promoter binding in rat hepatoma/fibroblast hybrids. Poster presentation at 100th Annual Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 4-5, 2008, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL.
*Hickman, S and Bulla, GA. Genome-wide analysis of gene silencing in mammalian cell, hybrids. Poster presentation at Phi Sigma Biological Research Symposium , April 18, 2008, Illinois State University, Normal, IL.
*Angle, JC and Bulla, GA. Analysis of transcription factor promoter binding in rat hepatoma/fibroblast hybrids. Poster presentation Phi Sigma Biological Research Symposium, April 18, 2008, Illinois State University, Normal, IL.
*Stenzlik, MJ, *Bjornbak, LR, *Hagstrom LJ and Bulla, GA. ChIP analysis of hepatic gene silencing. Phi Sigma Biological Research Symposium, Illinois State University, April 13, 2007.
*Roberts, T, *Luong, V, *Imburgia, AJ, *Tschampa, JJ and Bulla, GA Molecular Analysis Of Hepatic Gene Silencing. Poster presentation at 17th Annual Student Research Conference, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL March 24-25, 2006.
Bulla, GA, *Reidy, MR, Ellis, JA, *Schmitz, EA and *Kraus, DA. Apoptosis of Dedifferentiated Hepatoma cells is Independent of NF-icB Activation in Response to LPS. Poster presentation at FASEB International Conference on Mechanisms of Liver Growth and Development and Disease. August 2006. Snowmass, Colorado.
*Reidy, MR and Bulla, GA. Inhibition of Cellular Signaling Pathways Induces Apoptosis in Liver-Derived Cell Lines. Oral presentation at 17th Annual Student Research Conference, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL March 24-25, 2006.
*Oakley, H. and Bulla, G.A. (2005) Fixation optimization of hepatoma cells for combined β-gal and GFP expression analysis.
Bulla, GA, *Schmitz, EA and *Kraus, DA. Tissue-Specificity of Apoptosis In Hepatoma-Derived Cell Lines. Poster presentation at FASEB Conference on Mechanisms of Liver Growth and Development and Disease. August 2004. Snowmass, Colorado.
Bulla, GA. Tissue-Specificity Of Apoptosis In Hepatoma-Derived Cell Lines. Oral presentation at the 96th Annual Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 1-3, 2004, Charleston, IL.
*Tian, L and Bulla GA. Effect Of Coactivators And Chromatin Remodeling In Reactivation of Silenced Genes. Poster presentation at the 96th Annual Illinois State Academy of Science conference, April 1-3, 2004, Charleston, IL.
* indicates that author was a student (undergraduate or graduate)
Community
Undergraduate students conducting research (2004 to present
2024 Lyric Johnson, Piper Rhoads, Emilee Halford
2023 Janah Judeh, Phoebe Marcano, Jennifer Teibowei
2022 Anna Sipes
2021 Anna Sipes
2020 Eva Munoz-Ruiz
2019 Mingze Gao
2018 Mackenzie Scroggins
2017 Melissa Nathan, Jocelyne Mendoza, Chelsea Lorance
2016 Jeanne Gant, Dan Wooldridge, Melissa Nathan
2015 Olivia Garrett, Laura Dalla Costa, Dan Wooldridge, Chris Fenwick
2014 Olivia Garrett, Laura Dalla Costa, Dan Wooldridge, Chris Fenwick
2013 Olivia Garrett, Scott Holste, Caitlin Aylmer, Leon Mire, Adele Dust
2012 Caitlin Aylmer, Leon Mire, Adelle Dust, Jeff Kurkewich
2011 Caitlin Aylmer, Leon Mire, Adelle Dust, Jeff Kurkewich
2010 Dennis Tburzi, Andy Lopez, Allixandra Roe, Rachel Daugherty
2009 Andy Lopez, Audra Dust, Kerstin Allen
2008 Charelle Barksdale, Audra Dust, Kerstin Allen
2007 Lydia Bjornbak, Laura Hagstrom, Mallory Stenzlik, Jordan Angle,
Michael Hughes, Mandy Walker, Kyle Ingram, Carolyn Dundon
2006 Thomas Roberts, James Reynolds, Jessica Tschampa, Laleh Moazimi, Vince Leong, Anthony, Imburgia, Mallory Stenzlik, Mark Klepacki, Eric Dust, Sarah Travis
2005 Stephen Clark, Eric Dust, Laleh Moazimi, Vince Leong, Tom Roberts, Sheena James
2004 Hillary Oakley, Paula Schumacher and Chrissy Kamide
Publications
Bulla GA, *Aylmer AM, *Dust, AL, *Kurkewich, JL, *Mire, LK, *Estanda,A. Genome-wide Analysis of Hepatic Gene Silencing in Hepatoma Cell Variants Genomics (100:176-183, 2012.
Bulla, GA, *Luong, Q, *Shrestha S, Reeb S,*Hickman S. Genome-wide Analysis of Hepatic Gene Silencing in Mammalian Cell Hybrids. Genomics 96:323-332, 2010.
*Reidy MR, *Ellis JA *Schmitz EK, *Kraus DM, Bulla GA. Protection from LPS-mediated apoptosis of dedifferentiated hepatoma cells is independent of NF-kB activation. Bioscience Reports 27:235-46, 2007.
*Reidy MR, *Ellis JA *Schmitz EK, *Kraus DM, Bulla GA. Protection from LPS-mediated apoptosis of dedifferentiated hepatoma cells is independent of NF-kB activation. Bioscience Reports 27:235-46, 2007.
Bulla GA, *Kraus,DM. Dissociation of the Hepatic Phenotype from HNF4 and HNF1a Expression. Bioscience Reports, 24:595-608, 2005.
*Schmitz EK, *Kraus DM, Bulla GA. Tissue-specificity of apoptosis in hepatoma-derived cell lines. Apoptosis, 9:369-375, 2004.
*Kraus DM, Bulla GA. Defective NF-kB signaling in dedifferentiated hepatoma cells. Somat. Cell. Molec. Genet., 27:275-286, 2002.
Kladney, RD, *Cui C, Bulla, GA, Fimmel CJ.Disease- and cell-specific expression of GP73, a novel Golgi protein: evidence for virus-dependent and -independent regulation in hepatocytes. Hepatology, 35:1431-1440, 2002.
Bulla GA, *Givens E, *Brown S, *Oladiran B, *Kraus D. Protection of dedifferentiated hepatoma variant cells from LPS-induced apoptosis by restoration of hepatic gene expression. J. Cell Science, 114:1205-1212, 2001.
Kladney R, Bulla GA, Guo, L, Mason AL, Tolleffson AE, Simon DJ, Koutoubi Z, Fimmel C. GP73, a novel Golgi-localized protein upregulated by viral infection. Gene 249:53-65, 2000.
Khalkhali-Ellis Z, Bulla GA, Schlesinger LS, Kirschmann DA Moore TL, Hendrix MJC. C1q containing immune complexes purified from sera of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients mediate IL-8 production by human synoviocytes: Role of C1Q receptors. J. Immunol. 163:4612-4620, 1999.
Bulla GA. Extinction of a-antitrypsin gene expression in somatic cell hybrids is independent of loss of HNF1a and HNF4 in somatic cell hybrids. Nucl. Acids Res. 27: 1190-1197, 1999.
Bulla GA, Batanian J, *Young H, *Bradley N, *Kazi N, Haddad, B. Rescue of the HNF4 to HNF1a pathway in hepatoma variant cells containing human chromosomal 12. Genomics 54:398-407, 1998.
Bellezzo JM, Leingang KA, Bulla GA, Britton RS, Bacon BR, Fox ES. Modulation of lipopolysaccharide-mediated activation in rat Kupffer cells by antioxidants J. Lab. Clin. Med. 131:36-44, 1998.
Bulla GA. Selective loss of the hepatic phenotype due to the absence of a transcriptional activation pathway Somat. Cell. Molec. Genet. 23: 185-202, 1997.
Bulla GA, Fournier REK. Genetic analyses of a transcriptional activation pathway using hepatoma cell variants. Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:7086-7094, 1994.
Schafer AJ, Bulla GA, Fournier REK. Tissue-specific extinguisher loci in the murine genome: A screening study based on a rat/mouse microcell hybrid panel. Somat. Cell Mol. Genet. 20: 195-213, 1994
Bulla GA, Fournier REK. Direct selection of hepatoma cell variants deficient inï€ ï¡1-antitrypsin gene expression. Somat Cell Mol Genet. 18: 361-370, 1992.
Bulla GA, Siddiqui A. Negative regulation of the hepatitis B virus pre-S1 promoter by internal DNA sequences. Virology 170: 151-260, 1990.
Bulla GA, Siddiqui A. The hepatitis B virus enhancer modulates transcription of the HBsAg gene from an internal location. J. Virol. 63: 1437-1441, 1988.
Collins JK, Bulla GA, Reigel CA, Butcher AC. A single dilution enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for herpes virus type I. Vet. Micro. 10:133-147, 1985.
Funding & Grants
Past
National Science Foundation RUI (Research in Undergraduate Institutions) grant proposal. 7-1-15 through 6-31-18. “RUI:Mapping Genetic Networks that Dictate the Mammalian Liver Phenotype” P.I.- Gary A. Bulla. $206,000.
Council on Faculty Research Award 2013-14 “Is CREG a Master Regulator of Liver Function?” $3898.
National Science Foundation RUI (Research in Undergraduate Institutions) grant proposal. 2-1-09 through 1-31-13. “Whole-genome Analysis of Hepatic Gene Silencing” P.I.- Gary A. Bulla. $150,000.
Council on Faculty Research Award 2012-13 “Searching for Master Regulators of
Liver Function” $4640.
Leukemia Society of America Postdoctoral Fellowship, “Molecular analysis of cell-type-specific gene repression”: Principal Investigator: Gary A. Bulla, Sponsor: R.E.K. Fournier. Period of support: 7/1/89 – 6/30/92; total direct costs: $70,500.
Fleur-Di-Lis Award of Saint Louis University, "Genetic and molecular analysis of liver specification"; Principal Investigator: Gary A. Bulla; effort: 50%; period of support: 7/1/94 - 6/30/96; total direct costs; $20,000
NIH Grant # R29 DK48231-01A1, "Genetic and molecular analysis of liver specification"; Principal Investigator: Gary A. Bulla; effort: 50%; entire period of support: 5/1/95 - 4/31/00; total direct costs: $350,000.
Interim Research Support, St. Louis University School of Medicine.Principal Investigator: Gary A. Bulla; Period of support: 5/1/00 - 4/31/01$9,035
Interim Research Support, St. Louis University School of Medicine.Principal Investigator: Gary A. Bulla; Period of support: 5/1/00 - 4/31/01$8,413
Veteran’s Administration Grant, “A novel hepatocyte membrane protein induced by viral hepatitis”. Principal Investigator: Claus Fimmel, MD. Funds for supplies and a graduate assistantship as part of collaboration with Gary Bulla, PhD. Entire period of support- 10/1/99 – 09/30/03; direct costs: $406,373.
Council on Faculty Research (CFR) Award “Type 2 Diabetes: Role of HNF1aand HNF4adefects”. Investigator: Gary A. Bulla, PhD. Period of support: 10/1/02 - 8/30/03. Total costs: $5000.
Council on Faculty Research (CFR) Award “Type 2 Diabetes: Role of HNF1aand HNF4adefects”. (Summer grant 2003) $4000.
Seed grant Award, College of Sciences, January 28, 2004. $1000.
Council on Faculty Research (CFR) Award “Activation of Silent Genes by Preventing DNA and Histone Modification”. (Summer grant 2004) $4000.
Council on Faculty Research Award 2004-05. “Mechanisms of Liver cell Death due to Bacterial Infection”. $4750.
College of Science Small Grant Award 2005. Travel grant. $500
Redden Fund Grant Award. Gary Bulla and Gordon Tucker. Purchase of two digital eyepiece cameras for classroom instruction. $1,150.
Council on Faculty Research Award 2005-06. “Mechanisms of Liver cell Death due to Bacterial Infection”. $3600.
Seed grant Award, College of Sciences, Principal Investigator: Gary A. Bulla, February 3, 2006. $1000.
Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid awarded to Jun Ma (MS student). March 2006, $1000.
Council on Faculty Research (CFR) Award “Identifying mechanisms of gene silencing”. (Summer grant 2006) $4000.
Council on Faculty Research Award 2006-07. “Identifying mechanisms of gene silencing”. $3293.
Council on Faculty Research Award. “Identifying mechanisms of gene silencing”. (Summer grant 2007) $4000.
Proposal Initiative Fund. 2007 “Molecular analysis of hepatic gene silencing”. $6400.
Council on Faculty Research Award. “Genome-wide Analysis of Gene Silencing” (Summer grant, 2008) $4000.
Council on Faculty Research Award2008 “Whole genome analysis of hepatic gene silencing”. $4360.
Frequently Taught Courses
BIO 1500 General Biology I
BIO 3120 Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIO 3622 Embryology
BIO 4751 Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology
Research & Creative Interests
Our research focuses on mechanisms controlling mammalian gene expression and development, and cellular identify, especially in the liver. Three areas of interest include: 1) Activation and silencing of hepatic gene expression 2) Using whole-genome profiling to identify master regulators responsible for driving liver function and 3) identifying regulators of fibroblast identify. This research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
Professional Affiliations
2022-present Board member- Whiteside Garden Advisory Board
2017-2021 Board Member- CareeRX Prehealth club for high school students
2021 co-Vice President and co-Host- Illinois State Academy of Sciences
2015-2017 President - Illinois State Academy of Sciences
2013-2014 President Elect- Illinois State Academy of Sciences
2003-present Sigma Xi
2003-present Illinois State Academy of Sciences
1996-present American Association for the Advancement of Science