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Postdoctoral Fellows
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Jie Chen Postdoctoral Fellow Mmentor: Hiroshi Nishimune jchen@kumc.edu Research interest: I am studying the molecular mechanism of synapse formation, especially the function of voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in organizing active zones at motor neuron terminal. VGCCs are transmembrane proteins essential for neurotransmitter release. Our previous research suggested that they might also be involved in the presynaptic differentiation by interaction with extracellular ligands. I am now analyzing the N- type VGCCs knock out mice to see if they play some role in active zone formation during the early stage of development. |
| Angelo Iulianella Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor: Paul Trainor |
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| Natalie Jones Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor: Paul Trainor |
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Jinping Luo Mentor: William H. Kinsey jluo2@kumc.edu My research interests focus on signal transduction and biochemical events of egg activation induced by sperm or chemicals. Egg activation appears a cascade event composed of largely translational and robust post-translational activities instead of transcriptional level changes. Post-translational modifications are tightly associated with at least protein structure configuration (transducer) and activation/deactivation (enzyme) during signal transduction events. Src family protein kinases (SFKs) are involved in divergent signal transduction pathways in different cells. The intermolecular network of SFKs attending egg activation remains unclear. We employ specific chemical inhibitors, dominant negative proteins, and knockout mice to address the biochemistry associated with SFKs around egg activation. |
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Antoine Perchellet Mentor: Margaret Petroff aperchellet@kumc.edu Research interests: I am pursuing my interest in immune tolerance by studying how T cells of the maternal immune system that are specific for fetal antigens are tolerized. Tolerance of the maternal immune system is believed to be important for successful pregnancy as the fetus is semi-allogeneic. I am examining maternal T cell tolerance in mice by using a breeding strategy that allows expression of the model antigen ovalbumin only in the fetus. By employing T cell receptor transgenic mice specific for MHC class I-restricted and MHC class II-restricted epitopes of ovalbumin as mothers, I will determine the fate of the fetus-specific T cells during gestation. |
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Rajat Sandhir Senior Scientist Mentor: Nancy Berman rsandhir@kumc.edu My research involves investigating molecular mechanisms involved in worse outcomes in aged following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We have observed exacerbated glial response and higher expression of pro- inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in aged mice compared to adult mice which may be responsible for poor outcome after brain injury in elderly. We are currently trying to role transcription factors in differential response of the aged brain to TBI. In addition we are investigating the role of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in increased BBB permeability in the aged brain following TBI. |
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Madhulika Sharma Senior Research Scientist Mentor: Greg Vanden Heuval msharma3@kumc.edu Research interests: Cux-1 is the murine homologue of the Drosophila gene Cut, which is required for cellular differentiation in several tissues including the wing margin and Malphigian tubule. Mammalian cut proteins function as cell cycle-dependent transcriptional repressors in proliferating cells. Targets of Cux-1 repression include the cyclin kinase inhibitors p21 and p27. However, little is known about the regulation of Cux-1. In Drosophila, multiple genetic interactions between Cut and the Notch and Wingless signaling pathways occur during wing development. For the past couple of years , I have been interested in determining whether Cux-1 regulation by the Notch signaling pathway is conserved in mammals. Preliminary studies using immunohistocemistry and immunoprecipitations show that Cux-1 could indeed be regulated by notch pathway and to explore this would be my future target. |
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Brooke Steenhard, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor: Dale Abrahamson bsteenhard@kumc.edu Research interests: I am studying kidney development and disease using a mouse model of human Alport syndrome. This mouse has a deletion in the type IV collagen alpha 3 chain found in the glomerular basement membrane of the kidney. Mice lacking the alpha 3 chain of type IV collagen develop glomerulosclerosis and eventually die of end stage renal failure. I am analyzing glomerular RNA from these mice using DNA microarray to identify genes which are misregulated during the pathogenesis of the disease. |
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Veronica Zaga-Clavelina, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor: Dr. Joan S Hunt czaga-clavelina@kumc.edu Immunologic privilege and innate immunology in pregnancy. Immunologic role of human chorioamnion and placenta in the normal and abnormal pregnancies. |
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