Martha Field

Martha Field

I received a Bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Butler University in 2000.  In 2007, I received a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology from Cornell University.

My research has focused on the biochemistry and enzymology of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism.  This includes in vitro studies of enzyme kinetics of various enzymes within this pathway as well as in vivo studies of various mouse models of perturbed folate metabolism.

I supervise students in undergraduate research in the lab with courses NS4010, BIOG2990 and BIOG4990.  All of these students have independent research projects adn work closely with me to design and carry out experiments and to subsequently analyze the data.  My goals are  to have them work as independently as possible, become proficient in several laboratory techniques, and also  understand how to develop and test meaningful hypotheses.

Current professional activities focus primarily on the management of the laboratory of Dr. Patrick Stover, including the supervision of one research support specialist, management of the Stover Lab mouse colony, and training of undergraduate and graduate students.  My primary objectives are to 1) keep the research moving forward in the most experimentally sound and efficient ways possible and 2) maintain and integrate the flow of experimental practice and knowledge between lab members.   

 Folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism is required for the synthesis of purines, thymidylate, and methionine.  Alterations in folate metabolism can result from folate deficiency, polymorphisms in genes that encode folate-dependent enzymes, increased rates of folate degradation, and/or other B-vitamin deficiencies.  Pertrubations in this network are associated with adverse physiological outcomes that include certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and neural tube defects.   De novo synthesis of thymidylate (dTMP) within the nucleus, and the misincorporation of uracil within DNA that results from insufficient dTMP synthesis, has become a  focus of work in the lab. 

Similarly, the recent identification of a distinct mitochondrial de novo thymidylate synthesis pathway involving SHMT2 and DHFRL1 (isozymes of SHMT1 and DHFR), we have begun to investigate the effects of perturbed one-carbon metabolism on mitochdrial DNA content and integrity using a number of cell culture model systems.   We are developing assays and model systems to determine where uracil is misincorporated into DNA and what the consequences and potential modifiers of this accumulation are.

2007:  PhD in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
2000:  BS in Chemistry, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.

NS4010, Empirical Research (independent study)

BIOG2990, BIOG4990 (Independent undergraduate research)

Field, M.S., et. al. (2013) Reduced MTHFD1 activity in male mice perturbs folate- and choline-dependent one-carbon metabolism as well as transsulfuration.  J. Nutr. 143:  1-5.

Field, M.S., Anderson, D.D., and Stover, P.J. (2011) Mthfs is an essential gene in mice and a component of the purinosome.  Front. Gene. 2:  1-13.

Field, M.S., Anguera, M.C., Page R., and Stover, P.J. (2009)  5,10-Methenyltetrahydrofolate synthase activity is increased in tumors and modified the efficacy of antipurine LY309887.  Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 481:  145-150.

Field, M.S., Young, M.F., and O’Brien, K.O. “Maternal iron status and transfer of iron to the fetus.” Physiology of Mother-Fetus Relationship. (2009)  Ed.  Lafond, J., and Vaillancourt, C.  Kerala:  Research Signpost.

Field, M.S., Szebenyi, D.M.E., and Stover, P.J.  (2006)  Regulation of de novo purine biosynthesis by methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase in neuroblastoma.  J. Biol. Chem. 281:  4215-4222.

Field, M.S., Szebenyi, D.M.E., Perry, C.A., and Stover P.J. (2007)  Inhibition of 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase.  Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 458:  194-201.

Field, M.S. and Stover, P.J. (2007)  Regulation of the 5-formyltetrahydrofolate futile cycle and purine biosynthesis by methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase in The Proceedings of the 13^th International Symposium on Chemistry and Biology of Pteridines and Folates. 

Anguera, M.C., Field, M.S., Perry, C., Ghandour, H., Chiang, E.P., Selhub J., Shane, B., and Stover, P.J.  (2006)  Regulation of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism by 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase.  J. Biol. Chem. 281:  18335-18342.