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Steve Potter. Biomedical Engineering.
Phone: 404 385-2989
Email: steve.potter@bme.gatech.edu
Institution: Georgia Tech-Emory
Location: Off-campus (but accessible via shuttle, e.g., Grady or VA Hospitals)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: See http://neuro.gatech.edu for ideas about projects in our lab.
Student Requirements: Depends on project. All backgrounds considered.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) See http://neuro.gatech.edu/groups/potter/publications.html
Techniques used in this lab: Depends on project, but may include optical microscopy, multi-electrode electrophysiology, cell culture, computer programming, mechanical design, and others.
Additional Comments: http://neuro.gatech.edu/groups/potter/people.html
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Vincent Yang. Digestive Diseases.
Phone: 727-5638
Email: vyang@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: The focus of our research interest is on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control proliferation and differentiation of the intestinal epithelial cells. In particular, our group has concentrated on the roles played by a number of Kruppel-like transcription factors in regulating these two important biological processes in the gut epithelium. One factor, called Kruppel-like factor 4 or KLF4, is a negative regulator of proliferation that mediates the functions of two important tumor suppressors, APC and p53. The other, called KLF5, is pro-proliferative and mediates the activities of important proto-oncoproteins including RAS and WNT. Our hypothesis that the two KLFs function in the larger network of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes to regulate intestinal epithelial proliferation and differentiation. The knowledge derived from these studies may impact on the mechanism of gut development and tumorigenesis.
Student Requirements: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Ghaleb, A.M., Nandan, M.O., Chanchevalap, S., Dalton, W.B., Hisamuddin, I. M., and Yang, V.W. (2005) Kruppel-like factors 4 and 5: the yin and yang regulators of cellular proliferation. Cell Research 15, 92-96.
(2) Nandan, M.O., Chanchevalap, S., Dalton, W. B., and Yang, V.W. (2005)Kruppel-like factor 5 promotes mitosis by activating the cyclin B1/Cdc2 complex during oncogenic Ras-mediated transformation. FEBS Letters 579, 4757-4762.
(3) Yoon, H.S., Ghaleb, A.M., Nandan, M.O., Hisamuddin, I.M., Dalton, W.B., and Yang, V.W. (2005) Kruppel-like 4 prevents centrosome amplification following g irradiation-induced DNA damage. Oncogene 24, 4017-4025.
(4) Ouko, L., Ziegler, T. R., Gu, L. H., Eisenberg, L. M., and Yang, V. W. (2004) Wnt11 signaling promotes proliferation, transformation and migration of IEC6 intestinal epithelial cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry 279, 26707-26715.
(5) Hisamuddin, I.M., Wehbi, M., Schmotzer. B., Easley, K., Hylind, L., Giardiello, F.M., and Yang, V.W. (2005) Genetic polymorphisms of flavin monooxygenase 3 in sulindac-induced regression of colorectal adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 14, 2366-2369.
Techniques used in this lab: Cell culture, PCR, Northern and Western blot, immunohistochemistry, transfection, DNA plasmid work
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Lou Ann Brown. Pediatrics.
Phone: 404-727-5739
Email: lbrow03@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: Background: Alcohol abuse has significantly increased in women of childbearing age resulting in a large population of premature infants with fetal alcohol exposure. Alcohol-induced oxidant stress and damage is best described in the developing brain, however, all developing organ systems are exposed to alcohol-induced oxidative stress. We have shown that maternal alcohol abuse increased the risk of early onset sepsis in the very low birth weight premature neonate. In utero exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines increases the risk of adverse outcomes in the premature newborn such as chronic lung disease and sepsis. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) results from chronic intrauterine exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines that primes the fetal lung so that minimally injurious postnatal events provoke an exuberant pulmonary inflammatory response and potentiates lung injury.
In adults, chronic alcohol abuse depletes the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), induces chronic oxidant stress and a chronic pro-inflammatory state. This subsequently results in an exaggerated response to a second hit such as sepsis or trauma. As observed in adults, we do not believe that fetal alcohol exposure alone causes BPD. Rather, we postulate that alcohol-induced fetal GSH depletion results in a chronic pro-inflammatory state that places the very premature lung at a greater risk for injury when a second hit occurs. In animal models of in utero alcohol exposure, we are exploring fetal lung GSH depletion, chronic oxidant stress and a chronic pro-inflammatory state that subsequently delays lung maturation and increases the risk of lung injury when there is premature delivery. Furthermore, we propose that GSH precursors will attenuate that injury when given after delivery.
Student Requirements: Juniors and seniors only
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) T.W. Gauthier, X.D. Ping, F.L. Harris, M. Wong, H. Elbahesh, and L.A.S. Brown. Fetal alcohol exposure impairs alveolar macrophage functions via decreased glutathione availability. Pediatr. Res. 57: 76-81 (2005).
(2) L.A.S. Brown, F.L. Harris, X.-D. Ping and T.W. Gauthier. Chronic ethanol ingestion and the risk of acute lung injury: a role for glutathione availability? Alcohol 33: 191-197 (2004).
(3) M.H. Manar, M.R. Brown, T.W. Gauthier, and L.A.S. Brown. Association of glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GST-P1) polymorphisms with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. J. Perinatol. 24: 30-35 (2004).
(4) A. Pelaez, R.I. Bechara, P.C. Joshi, L.A.S. Brown and D.M. Guidot. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor treatment improves alveolar epithelial barrier function in alcoholic rat lung. Am. J. Physiol. (Lung Cell Mol. Physiol.) 286: L106-L111 (2004).
Techniques used in this lab: Fluorescent microscopy; confocal microscopy; real time PCR; western blot analysis
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Douglas Falls. Cell Biology.
Phone: 404-727-0520
Email: dfalls@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 0
Project Description: Neurogenesis (more later)
Additional Project Information: Synaptogenisis (more later)
Student Requirements: any level (more later)
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Falls DL (2003) Neuregulins: functions, forms, and signaling strategies. Exp Cell Res 284:14-30.
(2) Falls DL (2003) Neuregulins and the neuromuscular system: 10 years of answers and questions. J Neurocytol 32:619-647.
(3) Coskun V, Falls DL, Lane R, Czirok A, Luskin MB (in preparation 2005) Subventricular zone neuronal progenitors undergo multiple divisions and retract their processes prior to each cytokinesis.
(4) Bonsall JM, Falls DL, Luskin MB (in preparation) Extracellular matrix and/or cell surface associated molecules restrict neuronal progenitors to the rostral migratory stream.
Techniques used in this lab:
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June Scott. Microbiology.
Phone: 404-727-0402
Email: scott@Microbio.emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: Regulation of gene expression in Streptococcus pyogenes
Additional Project Information: Mechanism of attachment of proteins to the surface of Streptococcus pyogenes
Student Requirements: Some knowledge of molecular biology from coursework; some lab experience using micropipettes
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) See http://www.microbiology.emory.edu/scott/index.htm
Techniques used in this lab:
Additional Comments: We have had undergraduates in the lab for many years. Several have co-authored papers. Those going to grad school find their experience in our lab helps them get accepted by the school of their choice and receive fellowships.
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Claire-Anne Gutekunst. Neurosurgery.
Phone: 404-727-1812
Email: cguteku@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Studies of stigmoid bodies, cytoplasmic neuronal structures of unknown function.
Student Requirements: some knowlegde of biology
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Techniques used in this lab:
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iain Shepherd. Biology.
Phone: 404-727-2632
Email: ishephe@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: Investigating the in vivo function of zebrafish orthologues of known Hirschsprung disease causing genes.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest most complicated subdivision of the peripheral nervous system and is completely derived from neural crest stem cells (NCSC). My lab is interested in determining what genes are involved in the specification of the NCSC that form the ENS. We are also interested in determining what molecules are involved patterning the migration of NCSC in the intestine and if these same molecules are involved in patterning the axonal projections of the differentiated ENS neurons in the intestine. These studies are of clinical importance due to pediatric conditions that perturb the normal development of the ENS such as Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR).
Taking advantage of the zebrafish model system we are investigating how known HSCR linked genes, such as Sip1, cause their ENS phenotypes. We have previously shown that the neurotrophic factor GDNF and its receptor complex are absolutely required for normal ENS development in zebrafish as in mouse and human. Using similar techniques we are investigating the function of other known HSCR genes in zebrafish ENS development. These studies are investigating the many unanswered questions as how these known HSCR genes actually cause their ENS phenotypes when mutated.
A student undertaking this type of project would typically carry out a detailed expression analysis of a HSCR associated gene by RT-PCR and wholemount in situ hybridization. This part of the project would involve a significant amount of microscope work. A student would also be involved in perturbing the gene's function in vivo by microinjection of different molecular reagents.
Additional Project Information: Identification and characterization of different zebrafish enteric nervous system (ENS) neuronal subtypes.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest most complicated subdivision of the peripheral nervous system and is completely derived from neural crest stem cells (NCSC). My lab is interested in determining what genes are involved in the specification of the NCSC that form the ENS. We are also interested in determining what molecules are involved patterning the migration of NCSC in the intestine and if these same molecules are involved in patterning the axonal projections of the differentiated ENS neurons in the intestine. These studies are of clinical importance due to pediatric conditions that perturb the normal development of the ENS such as Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR).
To aid in the analysis of zebrafish ENS mutant we are interested in identifying different ENS neuronal subtypes. A summer student on this project would screen antibodies to identify ones that recognize subsets of zebrafish ENS neurons. After identifying zebrafish cross-reacting antibodies a student would undertake a detail characterization of the spatial and temporal expression pattern of these markers in the developing ENS. The project will involve significant amounts of microscope work.
Student Requirements: Studenst should be Juniors or Seniors. Students need to have completed a genetics course. Preference will be given to those that have taken a Developmental BIology course.
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Jacy Pietsch, Brett Jakaitis, Derek Stensby, Sarah Dohle, William Talbot, David W. Raible, and Iain T. Shepherd
(2) Shepherd, I. T., Pietsch, J., Elworthy, S., Kelsh, R. N. and Raible, D. W. (2004). Roles for GFR{alpha}1 receptors in zebrafish enteric nervous system development. Development 131, 241-249.
(3) Shepherd, I. T., Beattie, C. E. and Raible, D. W. (2001). Functional analysis of zebrafish GDNF. Dev Biol 231, 420-35.
(4) Elworthy, S., Pinto, J. P., Pettifer, A., Cancela, M. L. and Kelsh, R. N. (2005). Phox2b function in the enteric nervous system is conserved in zebrafish and is sox10-dependent. Mech Dev 122, 659-69
(5) Amiel, J. and Lyonnet, S. (2001). Hirschsprung disease, associated syndromes, and genetics: a review. J Med Genet 38, 729-39.
Techniques used in this lab:
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Subhabrata Sanyal. Cell Biology.
Phone: 404-727-3758
Email: ssanya2@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Summer
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: The fundamental goal of the laboratory is to understand molecular and cellular changes that underlie learning and memory. We use the fruit fly, Drosophila as a model system to investigate signaling networks that operate in neurons during long-term neural plasticity. Essentially, long-term changes require synthesis of new proteins either through translation of pre-existing mRNA at synaptic sites or through activation of transcription. We have established that conserved signaling cascades such as those mediated by cAMP, PKA and MAPK operate in our model system to cause long-term change. These signaling cascades finally impinge on transcription factors, such as AP1 and CREB to drive expression of plasticity genes . Among several broad questions in the field that interest us are studying signaling cross-talk during plasticity and the identification and functional validation of target genes. A unifying aim is to ascertain how these genes regulate learning and memory in intact organisms, thus uncovering conserved principles of learning across species.
The project involves a screen to isolate targets of AP1 activation in neurons using a powerful forward genetic approach. We will utilize the fact that expression of a dominant negative Fos transgene in the eye causes rough and reduced adult eyes. That this phenotype is due to perturbation of endogenous AP1 activity is shown by rescuing this phenotype by co-expressing wild type AP1. We plan to use this background in a classical modifier screen by assaying a collection of mutant lines in this background. A downstream effector or an upstream activator can potentially alter the eye phenotype observed in Fbz animals. This is a powerful yet easy screen and transposon tagging makes gene identification simple and fast. Finally, since there is an observable AP1 phenotype at the neuromuscular synapse, future target validation will be straightforward.
Student Requirements: Juniors and Seniors only, course in genetics favored.
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Sanyal S, Sandstrom DJ, Hoeffer CA, Ramaswami M.
AP-1 functions upstream of CREB to control synaptic plasticity in Drosophila.
Nature. 2002 Apr 25;416(6883):870-4.
(2) Hoeffer CA, Sanyal S, Ramaswami M.
Acute induction of conserved synaptic signaling pathways in Drosophila
melanogaster.
J Neurosci. 2003 Jul 16;23(15):6362-72. Erratum in: J Neurosci. 2003 Aug
27;23(21):7966.
(3) Sanyal S, Narayanan R, Consoulas C, Ramaswami M.
Evidence for cell autonomous AP1 function in regulation of Drosophila
motor-neuron plasticity.
BMC Neurosci. 2003 Sep 11;4:20.
(4) Sanyal S, Consoulas C, Kuromi H, Basole A, Mukai L, Kidokoro Y, Krishnan KS,
Ramaswami M.
Analysis of conditional paralytic mutants in Drosophila sarco-endoplasmic
reticulum calcium ATPase reveals novel mechanisms for regulating membrane
excitability.
Genetics. 2005 Feb;169(2):737-50. Epub 2004 Nov 1.
Techniques used in this lab: Fly genetics, molecular biology (cloning, RNA in situ etc.), immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging
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Hillary Rodman. Psychology.
Phone: 404-727-2391
Email: hrrodma@emory.edu
Institution: Emory University
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Study differences in brain organization in different kinds of animals. Help figure out whether the brains of animals like squirrels and hamsters are really similar or different to those of primates (monkeys and humans). Emphasis is on the parts of the brain that allow us to recognize things and that use light in the environment to control the sleep-wake cycle.
Additional Project Information: * Study reorganization of the visual system after early brain injury (anatomical studies in monkeys).
* Study individual differences in responsiveness to the environment at different times of day (behavioral work with rodents or survey research with humans).
* Study sex differences in parts of the brain that subserve vision, and relate to possible differences in the ways that males and females see.
Student Requirements:
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Rodman, H.R., Hodson, E., and Dieguez, D., Jr. Compartmentalization and chemical specificity in the geniculo-cortical system of a highly visual rodent. Submitted for publication.
(2) Major, D.E., Rodman, H.R., Libedinsky, C., and Karten, H.J. (2003) Pattern of retinal projections in the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi): anterograde tracing study using cholera toxin. Journal of Comparative Neurology 463: 317-340.
(3) Rodman, H.R., Sorenson, K.M., Shim, A.J., and Hexter, D.P. (2001) Calbindin immunoreactivity in the geniculo-extrastriate system of the macaque: implications for heterogeneity in the koniocellular pathway and recovery from cortical damage. Journal of Comparative Neurology 431: 168-181.
(4) Moore, T.M., Rodman, H.R., Repp, A.B., and Gross, C.G. (2001) Direction of motion discrimination after early lesions of striate cortex (V1) of the macaque monkey. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 98: 325-330.
(5) Sorenson, K.M., Moscato, M., Hope, K., and Rodman, H.R. (2001) Visual cortical inputs to area MT in infant monkeys. Neurosci. Abs. 27, Program No. 620.5.
Techniques used in this lab: Methods for most projects in our lab include analysis and preparation of brain tissue from normal animals and/or subjects with damage of the visual system. Immunohistochemistry, photomicroscopy, handling and observation of rodents, and/or psychological testing of humans, depending on selection of project(s) and student interest.
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William Kelly. Biology.
Phone: 7-6461
Email: bkelly@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Summer
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Meiosis is what defines sexual reproduction and contributes to genetic diversity as well as generates the haploid gametes. Another role of meiosis is genome surveillance and protections: significant differences between the genomes are not tolerated and can lead to sterility, as is seen in cross-species hybrids. We have identified a process involved in this surveillance, called meiotic silencing, which recognizes improperly aligned or matched chromosomes and represses expression of genes from these regions. We are using the nematode C. elegans to determine the underlying mechanisms of this process.
Student Requirements: Completed undergraduate intro biology course as a minimum, some exposure to genetics
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Whittle CM, McClinic KN, Ercan S, Zhang X, Green RD, Kelly WG, Lieb JD. 2008. The genomic distribution and function of histone variant HTZ-1 during C. elegans embryogenesis. PLoS Genet. 4(9):e1000187.
(2) Checchi, P.M., and W. G. Kelly. 2006. emb-4 is a Conserved Gene Required for Germline-Specific Chromatin Remodeling during Caenorhabditis elegans Embryogenesis. Genetics 174:1895-1906.
(3) Bean, C.J., Schaner, C.E., and W.G. Kelly. 2004. "Meiotic Pairing and Imprinted X Chromatin Assembly in C. elegans". Nature Genet., 36(1)100-5.
(4) Schaner, C.E., Deshpande, G., Schedl, P., and Kelly, W.G. 2003. A conserved chromatin architecture marks and maintains the restricted germ cell lineage in worms and flies. Dev. Cell 5:1-20.
Techniques used in this lab: bacterial cloning, PCR/RT-PCR, microscopy, immunofluorescence, animal culture, other molecular techniques
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