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 Remarkable Protein Structures... and Where They Go Wrong in Disease
Glenn Millhauser, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
In modern biochemistry, structural determination is essential for understanding the function of biomolecules. Scientists in Glenn Millhauser's laboratory use peptide synthesis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and electron paramagnetic spin resonance spectroscopy (EPR) to examine the structure and analyze the function of proteins that have been implicated in several debilitating diseases. This includes the prion protein, which is responsible for mad cow disease and the related human affliction, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. They have also examined a novel signaling molecule, called AGRP, which is involved in energy balance and metabolic pathologies, such as diabetes and obesity.
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 Organelle 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 organism. To generate and maintain proper cytoplasmic order and thus their complex functions, cells use microtubules and force-generating motor proteins to transport RNAs, proteins, mitochondria and other organelles to appropriate locations. Neurons are especially dependent on such microtubule-based cytoplasmic transport, because their signaling functions rely on extraordinarily long cytoplasmic extensions (axons and dendrites) that require import of many components from
their cell bodies ..... [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's 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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