Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at The University of New Mexico, with a secondary appointment in Biology. His research focuses on interdisciplinary areas at the intersection of chemical biology, biochemistry, and developmental biology, utilizing Drosophila models to study protein interactions, stem cell maintenance, and cellular organization mechanisms. Key research themes include phase separation in biological systems, RNA-binding proteins' roles in neurodevelopment, and the molecular basis of cardiovascular development.

His work spans structural biochemistry, catalytic mechanisms, and pharmaceutical chemistry applications. Notable contributions include developing plasmid systems for protein expression studies and modeling genetic variants in human cardiogenic genes using Drosophila. Johnston’s research integrates experimental and theoretical approaches to understand fundamental biological processes.

Recent publications highlight investigations into spindle orientation machinery, RNA-binding proteins in neural development, and collagen gene regulation in heart morphogenesis. His studies often involve advanced microscopy techniques and genetic models, contributing to both basic science and translational research in disease mechanisms.