David Dunigan
Research Professor Plant Pathology University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Contact
- Address
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MOLR 203
Lincoln NE 68583-0900 - Phone
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402-472-5776 On-campus 2-5776
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ddunigan2@unl.edu
- Website
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Publications in Google Scholar
Dr. Dunigan is fascinated by the evolving concept of “virus” in the context of the Five Great Questions, and his research explores the many ways viruses interact with organisms, from the consequences of infection to virovory. For the past several years he has studied the chloroviruses, which are evolutionarily related to other large DNA viruses, collectively known as “giant viruses”. He is investigating many aspects of chloroviruses including the virion structure and function; genome structure, function and evolution; metabolic changes associated with infections, as well as the role of algal viruses in aquatic ecosystems. His explorations of the roles of chloroviruses in ecosystem functioning has led to the discovery of virotaxis, ecological catalysis and that virus is food.
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Virology, Cornell University, 1988
- PhD, Biochemistry, University of Connecticut, 1985
- BS, Life Science/Chemistry, University of Southern Indiana, 1977