Lane K. Christenson, MS, PhD

Professional Background

Dr. Lane K. Christenson is an Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology. He received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University and completed his postdoctoral work at the Oregon National Primate Research Center and University of Pennsylvania before joining KUMC. Dr. Christenson’s research focuses on uncovering the complex events occurring in the ovary at the last stages of follicular development and the onset of luteal function. Recent work in the laboratory has focused on post-transcriptional regulation both microRNA, RNA editing and circular RNA and investigations into the role extracellular vesicles (exosomes and microvesicles) play in ovarian function (oocyte maturation, granulosa cell function). Dr. Christenson is a past Section Director of the Frontiers in Reproduction Course held at the Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA and is currently the Society for Study of Reproduction's Treasurer.

• BS, Animal Science, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• MS, Physiology of Reproduction, Iowa State University
• PhD, Physiology of Reproduction, Iowa State University.
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Ovarian Physiology, Oregon National Primate Research Center
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Cell and Molecular Physiology, Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health (CRRWH), University of Pennsylvania (UPENN)

• American Society of Exosome and Microvesicles, Member, 2013 - 2023
• International Society for Extracellular Vesicles, Member, 2011 - 2021
• Society for the Study of Reproduction, Member, 1991 - Present

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Research

Overview

My research is focused on understanding the molecular processes of reproduction in order to enhance and inhibit fertility. My primary interest has been focused on understanding how post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanisms (i.e., microRNA-mediated, RNA editing, circular RNA) facilitate ovulation and luteinization of the ovarian follicle following the LH surge. More recently, my laboratory has focused on A-to-I RNA editing and circular RNA and the impacts of these unique RNAs role in ovarian somatic cell function. Our work in microRNA function led to studies looking at the role extracellular vesicles (exosomes and microvesicles) in ovarian and other tissues with a number of collaborators. On November 9, 2023 my laboratory launched NASA Rodent Research-20 on SpX29 to investigate the effects of microgravity on female fertility.

• Brachova, P, Alvarez, N., S, Christenson, L., K. 2021. Loss of Cnot6l Impairs Inosine RNA Modifications in Mouse Oocytes.. Int J Mol Sci, 22 (3)
• Brachova, P, Alvarez, N., S, Hong, X, Gunewardena, S, Vincent, K., A, Latham, K., E, Christenson, L., K. 2019. Inosine RNA modifications are enriched at the codon wobble position in mouse oocytes and eggs. Biol Reprod, 101 (5), 938-949
• Hong, X, Choi, S, Rocca, A., E, Alwood, J., S, Tash, J., S, Christenson, L., K. 2021. Effects of spaceflight aboard the International Space Station on mouse estrous cycle and ovarian gene expression.. NPJ – Microgravity
• Hung, W., T, Navakanitworakul, R, Khan, T, Zhang, P, Davis, J., S, McGinnis, L., K, Christenson, L., K. 2017. Stage-specific follicular extracellular vesicle uptake and regulation of bovine granulosa cell proliferation.. Biol Reprod, 97 (4), 644-655