Education & Professional History
University of California (Davis), BS; University of Washington, PhD
Stephan Zweifel teaches courses in Genetics and Molecular Biology, and a seminar on Behavioral Genetics. He is a Professor in the Carleton Biology Department and head coach of the men’s tennis team.
Dr. Zweifel is a geneticist and molecular biologist whose research examines the replication and segregation of mitochondrial DNA in the yeast S. cerevisiae. His lab is interested in identifying and characterizing the nuclear genes responsible for the proper transmission of the mitochondrial genome.
About Dr. Zweifel
At Carleton since 1991.
Highlights & Recent Activity
Academic Programs
Tennis
Current Courses
-
Winter 2025
BIOL 125:
Genes, Evolution & Development & Lab
-
Spring 2025
-
-
PE 282:
Tennis Intercollegiate, Men
Research Interests:
Dr. Stephan Zweifel’s current research interests include the study of replication and segregation of mitochondrial DNA in the yeast S. cerevisiae, and the role of recombination in mtDNA inheritance. Along with the use of DNA markers and sequence analysis to determine intraspecific variation and paternity in reptiles.
His past research interests also include:
- Molecular characterization of mitochondrial DNA secondary structure
- Identification of genes responsible for mtDNA maintenance
- Yeast cell polarity mutants and the influence on cell aging
- DNA Fingerprint Studies in the Symbiotic Fungus of Leaf-cutting Ants
Selected Publications
Lele, A.*, Rand, M.S., and Zweifel, S.G. (2016) Sequencing and analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Pituophis catenifer sayi (Squamata: Colubridae). Mitochondrial DNA, Part B: Resources 2016. 483-484.
Johnston, E.E.*, Rand, M.S., and Zweifel, S.G. (2006) Detection of multiple paternity and sperm storage in a captive colony of the central Asian tortoise, Testudo horsfieldii. Can. J. Zool. 84:520-526.
Doherty, K.R.*, Zweifel, E.W., Elde, N. C.*, McKone, M.J., and S. G. Zweifel (2003) Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers reveal genetic variation in the symbiotic fungus of leaf-cutting ants. Mycologia 95: 19-23.
Zweifel, S.G. (2002) Mitochondria, the other human genome. Robinson, Richard, ed. Genetics. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, Vol. 3; 55-57.
Massardo, D.R., Zweifel, S. G., Gunge, N., Wolf, K., Sando, N., and L. Del Giudice (2000). Use of lycorine and DAPI staining in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to differentiate between rho zero and rho minus cells. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 46: 1058-1065.
Zweifel, S. C., and W. L. Fangman (1992). A nuclear mutation reversing a biased transmission of yeast mitochondrial DNA. Genetics 128: 241-249.
Lockshon, D., Zweifel, S. G., Freeman-Cook, L., Lorimer, H., Brewer, B., and W. L. Fangman (1995). A role of recombination junctions in the segregation of mitochondrial DNA in yeast. Cell 81: 947-955.
Zweifel, S. G. and W. L. Fangman (1990). Creation of ARS activity in yeast through the iteration of non-functional sequences. Yeast 6: 179-186.
*Carleton College undergraduate
