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 Mammalian Brain Development
Bin Chen , Dept. MCD Biology
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS,) affect millions of Americans. Currently, there are no cures or even effective treatments to slow the relentless course of most of these devastating diseases. Stem cells represent tremendous potential for the replacement of damaged cells caused by neurodegenerative diseases or spinal cord injuries. Many barriers must be overcome, however, to take advantage of this promising therapy. With this in mind, Dr. Chen's laboratory investigates the molecular the mechanisms that regulate neural stem cells in developing brains as they generate different neuronal types in the cerebral cortex. [More] |
 The Molecular Basis of Protein Aggregation and Protein Deposition Diseases
Anthony Fink, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Professor Fink’s laboratory examines the molecular basis of protein aggregation and protein deposition diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease, and the development of effective therapies to treat these diseases.
Sadly, Tony Fink passed away on March 3, 2008. [More]
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 Remarkable Protein Structures... and Where They Go Wrong in Disease
Glenn Millhauser, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
In the laboratory of Glenn Millhauser, investigators use peptide synthesis and magnetic resonance to investigate the structure and function of biomolecules. These studies include analysis of proteins, such as the prion protein, which is involved in the devastating neurological condition, Creutzfeld Jacob's Disease.
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 Axonal Transport and Neurodegeneration
Bill Saxton, Dept. MCD Biology
The Saxton lab studies mechanisms that drive intracellular transport and cytoplasmic organization, using Drosophila as a model system. To generate and maintain proper cytoplasmic order and complex functions, cells use microtubules and force-generating motor proteins to transport RNAs, proteins, and organelles to specific cytoplasmic destinations. Neurons are especially dependent on filament-based cytoplasmic transport, because their signaling functions rely on long cytoplasmic extensions (axons and dendrites) that require highly ordered components that are synthesized near the nucleus. Saxton's group has developed methods for high-speed confocal fluorescence microscopy and digital tracking of single axonal organelles in living Drosophila, and use classical genetics and molecular approaches to manipulate suspected components of transport machinery and watch the effects on organelle motion. Biochemical approaches are also used to test specific ideas about how those components work. A number of human neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, are caused by mutations in genes that code for axonal transport motors and other cytoskeleton associated proteins. [More] |
Organismal Responses and Therapeutic Treatment of Toxins
Don Smith, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
It is becoming clear that exposures to environmental toxins, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can cause or contribute to the development of diseases in humans. For example, some neurobehavioral and neurodegenerative disorders, such as learning deficits and Parkinsonism have been linked to elevated lead and manganese exposures in children and manganese exposures in adults, respectively. The Smith lab explores basic mechanisms underlying how toxic metal exposures contributes to cellular effects and disease. [More]
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 Glia-neuron Interaction and Structural Plasticity of the Synapse
Yi Zuo, Dept. of MCD Biology
Neurons communicate with each other at a specialized structure called the synapse. The Zuo lab focuses on how the interactions of two types of cells - glia and neurons - affect synapse formation and plasticity. Zuo studies are providing insight into the involvement of glia in learning and memory. Furthermore, because glial malfunctions are characteristic of many neurodegenerative diseases, her lab's results may also point us in the direction of potential treatments for neurological diseases. [More] |
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