Andre Hudson
School Head
Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science
585-475-4259
Office Location
Andre Hudson
School Head
Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science
Education
BS, Virginia Union University; Ph.D., Rutgers University
Bio
Dr. Hudson is trained as a biochemist and the major themes of his research are vested in biochemistry and microbiology. More specifically, in the areas of amino acid metabolism, structural analyses of enzymes involved in amino acid and bacterial peptidoglycan metabolism, and the isolation, identification and genomic characterization of plant-associated bacteria. Dr. Hudson has secured approximately $1.3 million in federally funded grants and contracts as PI and or CoPI from the NIH, NSF, Bayer Corporation, Sweetwater Energy and Natcore Technology. Dr. Hudson has published 43 peer-reviewed articles, and presented more than 28 conference presentations in addition to 29 invited talks.
Dr. Hudson is a highly respected and well liked teacher. His teaching contributions are substantial especially during the conversion to semesters when he rewrote all the courses he teaches. Dr. Hudson has mentored and engaged many students in research and has published in peer-reviewed journals with a number of them. Many of his students have gone to pursue further research at prestigious institutions.
Since joining RIT, Dr. Hudson has served on numerous School, College, and Institute Committees, including the GSoLS Curriculum Committee, the College of Science Faculty Evaluation and Development Committee which he has chaired since 2014, and the RIT Isaac L. Jordan Faculty Pluralism Award Selection Committee which he has chaired since 2013.
Dr. Hudson joined the RIT faculty in 2008 following a post-doctoral fellowship at Rutgers University. He earned his B.S. (2000) in Biology from Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA., and his Ph.D. (2006) in Plant Biochemistry from Rutgers University.
585-475-4259
Areas of Expertise
biochemistry
enzymology
amino acid metabolism
bacterial cell wall metabolism
antibiotic research
genome sequencing
Currently Teaching
BIOL-495
Advanced Biology Research
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
BIOL-798
Grad Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed, graduate level tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum.
BIOL-498
Advanced Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their final two years of study.
BIOL-301
Undergraduate Teaching Experience
1 - 4 Credits
This course allows students to assist in a class or laboratory for which they have previously earned credit. The student will assist the instructor in the operation of the course. Assistance by the student may include fielding questions, helping in workshops, and assisting in review sessions. In the case of labs, students may also be asked to help with supervising safety practices, waste manifestation, and instrumentation.
BIOL-499
Biology Co-op
0 Credits
Cooperative education experience for undergraduate biological sciences students.
BIOL-298
Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
BIOL-500
Experiential Learning Requirement in Life Science
0 Credits
The experiential learning (EL) requirement may be fulfilled through a variety of methods including co-op, undergraduate research, summer research experiences, study abroad relevant to the major, designated EL courses, etc. All experiences must be approved by the GSOLS EL Committee.
BIOL-295
Biology Research
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their first three years of study.
BIOL-401
Biological Separations: Principles and Practices
4 Credits
This is a laboratory-based course that teaches classic concepts and techniques to enable the use of these techniques to purify small molecules and macromolecules from whole organisms. Detection techniques will include the use of bacterial biosensors, coomassie-blue staining, silver staining, and immunoblot analysis. Separation techniques will include SDS Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, thin layer chromatography, and paper electrophoresis. Purification techniques will include ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography, and thin layer chromatography.
BIOL-340
Genomics
4 Credits
This course introduces students to the analysis of complex genomes. Emphasis is placed on genetic information derived from the human genome project but advances with genomes of other model systems will be discussed. Lectures cover scientific techniques used to map and sequence the human genome, as well as strategies for identification of disease susceptibility genes. The laboratory utilizes an automated DNA sequencer to demonstrate the acquisition of genetic sequences. Laboratory sessions emphasize cycle sequencing of cloned DNA fragments using an automated fluorescent DNA sequencer.
BIOL-399
Biology Part-Time Cooperative Experience
0 Credits
This course is a part time cooperative education experience for undergraduate students majoring in biology, biotechnology and molecular bioscience, bioinformatics and computational biology.
ENVS-399
Environmental Science Part-Time Cooperative Experience
0 Credits
This course is a part time cooperative education experience for undergraduate students majoring in environmental science.
BIOL-314
Tissue Culture
4 Credits
This course will present the techniques and applications of culturing eukaryotic cells, tissues, and organs in vitro. Emphasis will be placed on mammalian systems. Lectures will cover the historical background of tissue culture, how to authenticate cell lines, basic cell culture techniques; as well as stem cells, tissue engineering, and the role of cell culture in regenerative medicine. In the laboratory, students will be introduced to growth curves, cloning techniques, primary cell culture, and making a cell line; as well as detecting mycoplasma and other cell culture contaminants.
BIOL-790
Research and Thesis
1 - 6 Credits
Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
ENVS-201
Environmental Workshop
3 Credits
This workshop serves as the second core course for the Environmental Science major. Through in-class exercises, outside labs, and field trips, students will begin to learn problem solving and analytical skills needed to investigate and address environmental issues. Topics may include assessing campus biodiversity and ecosystems, calculating personal and campus ecological footprints and sustainability indexes, environmental modeling, and campus sustainability projects. To demonstrate the interdisciplinary methodology of environmental science, elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, and history are embedded in the scientific matrix used to present this course.
Latest News
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September 23, 2019
![Professor and three students look at bacteria samples.]()
RIT receives multiple accolades for promoting diversity and inclusion
RIT received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, for the sixth year in a row. Also, for the third consecutive year, RIT is being honored as an institution committed to diversity for 2019 by Minority Access Inc. And Professor André Hudson, pictured above, is among the individuals Minority Access will celebrate at the National Role Models Conference this year.
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August 23, 2019
![Muscat of Alexandria grape vine with crown gall tumors from the Southern San Joaquin Valley.]()
Researchers gain new insight about bacteria within grapevine-killing crown gall tumors
Scientists have mapped the DNA of bacteria found within a chronic disease affecting grapevines, a feat they hope will ultimately help protect the multibillion-dollar grape industry that produces juice, jelly, wine and other important products.
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August 6, 2019
![Student in lab coat works with pipette.]()
RIT expands genomics research
RIT’s genomics research capabilities have evolved significantly over the past year. The university has invested heavily in revamping and equipping its Genomics Research Lab Cluster. The overhauled genomics facilities will boost capabilities for researchers in multiple disciplines, including bioinformatics, biotechnology and environmental science.
Select Scholarship
Journal Paper
Babbitt, Hudson, et al. "Synonymous Codon Organization Reduces the Impact of Mutation on Nucleic Acid Molecular Dynamics." J. Mol. Evo. (2018): N/A. Web.
AO, Parthasarathy, et al. "A Three-ring Circus: Metabolism of the Three Proteogenic Aromatic Amino Acids and Their Role in the Health of Plants and Animals." Front Mol Biosci. (2018): N/A. Web.
AO, Parthasarathy, et al. "Isolation and Genomic Characterization of Six Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Saccharum sp (sugarcane): Insights into Antibiotic, Secondary Metabolite and Quorum Sensing Metabolism." Journal of Genomics 6. (2018): 117-121. Web.
AO, Parthasarathy, et al. "Whole Genome Sequencing and Annotation of Exiguobacterium sp. RIT 452, an Antibiotic Producing Strain Isolated from a Pond Located on the Campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology." Microbiol Resour Announc. (2018): N/A. Web.
Hudson, Andre O, et al. "Dihydrodipicolinate Synthase: Structure, Dynamics, Function, and Evolution." Macromolecular Protein Complexes. (2017): 271-289. Print.
Gan, Han M, et al. "Whole Genome Sequencing of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Isolated from the Chewing Stick (Distemonanthus benthamianus): Insights into Rhodotorula Phylogeny, Mitogenome Dynamics and Carotenoid Biosynthesis." PeerJ. (2017): 1-18. Web.
Kumar, HKS, et al. "Genomic Characterization of Eight Ensifer Strain Isolated from Pristine Caves and a Whole Genome Phylogeny of Ensifer (Sinorhizobium)." Journal of Genomics 5. (2017): 12-17. Print.
Gan, Han M, et al. "Whole Genome of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Typhimurium Strains TT6675 and TT9097 Employed in the Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Giant Phage Mutant Collection." Genome Announcements 5. 34 (2017): 1-2. Web.
Gan, HM, et al. "Whole Genome Sequencing and Analysis Reveal Insights Into The Genetic Structure, Diversity And Evolutionary Relatedness Of Luxi And Luxr Homologs in Bacteria Belonging the Sphingomonadaceae Family." Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 4. 188 (2014) Web.
Gan, HY, et al. "Whole Genome Sequences of Four Oligotrophic Bacteria Isolated From Deep Within a Cave (>400 M): Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico." Genome Announcements 2. 6 (2014): 0. Web.
Babbitt, GA, et al. "Synonymous Codon Bias and Functional Constraint on GC3-related DNA Backbone Dynamics in the Prokaryotic Nucleoid." Nucleic Acids Research 42. 17 (2914): 10915-10926. Print.
Triassi, AJ, et al. "A Putative Target for the Development of Narrow–Spectrum Antibacterial Compounds." Frontiers in Microbiology 5. (2014): 509. Web.
HY, Gan,, et al. "Whole Genome Sequences of Thirteen Endophytic Bacteria Isolated Fom Shrub Willow (Salix) Grown in Geneva, New York." Genome Announc. 2. 3 (2014): 0. Web.
MR, Oliver,, et al. "The Purification, Crystallization and Preliminary X-ray Diffraction Analysis of Two Isoforms of Meso-diaminopimelate Decarboxylase From Arabidopsis Thaliana." Acta Cryst F 70. (2014): 663-668. Print.
HM, Gan,, et al. "High Quality Whole Genome Sequences of Three Strains of Enterobacter sp. Isolated from Jamaican Dioscorea Cayenensis (Yellow Yam)." Genome Announc. 13. 2 (2014): 0. Web.
Hudson, Andre O, et al. "Differential Response of Orthologous L,L-diaminopimelate Aminotransferase (DapL) to Enzyme Inhibitory Antibiotic Lead Compounds." Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry. (2013): 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.10.055. Print.
Gan, HM, et al. "Comparative Genomic Analysis of Six Bacteria Belonging to the Genus Novosphingobium: Insights into Host Interactions, Marine Adaptation and Bioremediation." BMC Genomics 14. 431 (2013): doi:10.1186/1471-2164-14-431. Web.
Hudson, Andre O, et al. "Biochemical Characterization of UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamyl:meso-2,6-diaminopimelate ligase (MurE) from Verrucomicrobium spinosum DSM 4136T." PloS ONE 8. 6 (2013): e66458.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0066458. Web.
Hudson, Andre, et al. "Whole Genome Sequence of Enterobacter sp. SST3, an Endophyte Isolated from Jamaica Sugarcane (Saccharum sp) Stalk Tissue." Journal of Bacteriology 194. (2012): 5981-598. Print.
Hudson, Andre, et al. "Genome Sequence of Novosphingobium sp. Strain Rr02-17, a Nopaline Crown Gall Associated Bacterium Isolated from Vitis vinifera L. Grapevine." Journal of Bacteriology 194. (2012): 5137-5138. Print.
Hudson, Andre. "Genome Sequence of Methylobacterium sp. Strain GXF4, a Xylem Associated Bacterium Isolated from Vitis Vinifera L. Grapevine." Journal of Bacteriology 194. (2012): 5157-5158. Print.
Hudson, Andre, et al. "Genomic and Biochemical Analysis of the Diaminopimelate and Lysine Biosynthesis Pathway in Verrucomicrobium Spinosum." Frontiers in Microbiology 183. 3 (2012): 3389. Print.
Hudson, A.O., I. Giron, and R. Dobson. "Crystallization and Preliminary X-ray Diffraction Analysis of L,L-diaminopimelate Aminotransferase (DapL) from Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii." Acta Cryst F67. (2011): 140-143. Print.
Hudson, A.O., et al. "Dual Diaminopimelate Biosynthesis Pathways in Bacteroides Fragilis and Clostridium." BBA proteins and proteomics 1814. (2011): 1162-1168. Print.
Hudson, A.O., I. Giron, and R. Dobson. "L,L-Diaminopimelate Aminotransferase from Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii: A Target for Algaecide Development." PLoS ONE 6. 5 (2011): 1-12. Web.
Bulman, Z., et al. "A Novel Property of Propolis (bee glue): Anti-pathogenic activity by Inhibition of N-acyl-homoserine Lactone Mediated Signaling in Bacteria." Journal of Ethanopharmacology 138. (2011): 788-797. Print.
Book Chapter
Hudson, Andre O, et al. "Lysine Synthesis in Microorganisms." The Handbook of Microbial Metabolism of Amino Acids. Edinburgh, UK: CAB International, 2017. 49-69. Print.
Hudson, A.O. and M.A. Savka. "Bioluminescence Biosensor Strains for Detection of Quorum Sensing N-acyl-homoserine Lactone Signal Molecules." Bioluminescence. U.S.A.: Nova Publishers, 2011. 747-3. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Hudson, Andre O. "L,L-diaminopimelate aminotransferase (DapL): A Novel Enzyme Involved in Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis." The Great Wall Symposium. Pasteur Institute. Paris, France. 23-25 Sep. 2013. Conference Presentation.
Hudson, Andre O. "Structure-activity Relationships Among the Mur ligase Family." The Great Wall Symposium. Pasteur Institute. Paris, France. 23-25 Sep. 2013. Conference Presentation.
Gan, H.M., et al. "Predictable Ecological Niches of Origin Revealed by Comparative Genomics of Six Novosphingobium Species." American Society for Microbiology. ASM. Denver, CO. 18-21 May 2013. Conference Presentation.
Hudson, Andre O. "Targeting the Essential Amino Acid Biosynthesis Pathways for the Discovery of Novel Antibiotics." East Carolina State University. Greenville, NC. 2 Oct. 2013. Lecture.
Hudson, Andre O. "L,L-diaminopimelate aminotransferase (DapL): A Novel Enzyme Involved in Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis." The Great Wall Symposium. Pasteur Institute. Paris, France. 23 Sep. 2013. Address.
Published Conference Proceedings
Hudson, Andre, et al. "Genomic and Biochemical Analysis of the Diaminopimelate/Lysine Synthesis Pathway in Verrucomicrobium Spinosum." Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology. Ed. American Society for Microbiology. San Francisco, CA: American Society for Microbiology, 2012. Print.