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Lane K. Christenson, MS, PhD

Lane Christenson portrait
Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology
lchristenson@kumc.edu

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) and in ovarian cancer. 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.

Education and Training
  • 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)
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Member, 2018 - Present
  • American Society of Exosome and Microvesicles, Member, 2013 - Present
  • International Society for Extracellular Vesicles, Member, 2011 - Present
  • Society for the Study of Reproduction, Member, 1991 - Present

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, this exciting work (NIH-RO1 funded) is implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction within the oocyte, we are also simultaneously pursuing its role in ovarian somatic cell function. My laboratory is also funded by NASA to investigate the effects of microgravity on female fertility and male fertility. Our work in microRNA function within the follicle also led to our studies looking at the role extracellular vesicles (exosomes and microvesicles) in this dynamic tissue and to develop a murine in vivo tissue specific extracellular vesicle tracking system. My laboratory has recently partnered with Dr. Paige Geiger's laboratory to investigate the role of extracellular vesicles in meditating the protective effects of exercise in Alzheimer's patients (NIH-R21).

Current Research and Grants
  • Female reproductive health: Space flight induced ovarian and estrogen signaling dysfunction, adaptation, and recovery, NASA, PI
Publications
  • 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