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2008
Michelle L. Demory
Sarah J. Parsons Lab
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Michelle L. Demory
Ph.D. in Microbiology Spring 2008 (projected date).
Thesis:
Investigation of the regulators of epidermal growth factor receptor translocation to the mitochondria and determination of the impact of EGFR association with the mitochondrial protein Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit II
Current Research
Our studies utilized a cell model system that mimics late stage breast cancers by co-overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor and c-Src. We found that EGFR can transiently translocate to the mitochondria where it can associate with the mitochondrial protein cytochrome c oxidase subunit II. Our results suggested this translocation is regulated by a multifaceted regulatory mechanism utilizing clathrin-mediated endocytosis, c-Src and a mitochondria localization sequence. Furthermore, we showed that EGFR can directly phosphorylate CoxII and that EGF stimulation can increase mitochondrial potential and Cox activity.
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2007
Laura Adang
Dean Kedes Lab
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Laura Adang, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Microbiology August 2007
Thesis:
Single cell characterization of kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection: tropism, immune evasion, and potential treatments
Current Research
Lifelong infection is a hallmark of all herpesviruses, and their survival depends on countering host immune defenses. The human γ-herpesvirus Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes an array of proteins that contribute to immune evasion, including Modulator of Immune Recognition 2 (MIR2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Our results suggest that the effects of MIR2 are gene dosage dependent and that low levels of this viral protein contributes to the widespread downregulation of immune modulating cell-surface proteins during the initial stages of KSHV infection.
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2006
Michael W. Cruise
Young Hahn Lab
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Michael Cruise, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Microbiology Fall 2005.
Thesis:
Enhanced FASL Expression by HCV Core Induces the Production of CXCR3 Chemokines and Liver Damage
Current Research
Mike was involved in studying Fas/FasL interaction in liver inflammation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Using transgenic mice expressing the HCV core protein, Mike studied the recruitment of activated T cells to the liver and the mechanism of damage by liver infiltrating lymphocytes. He found that expression of HCV core protein in T cells enhanced the level of FasL. Michael Cruise is currently finishing up his MD degree here at UVa and plans on a residency in pathology.
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2005
Antonio DiGiandomenico
Joanna Goldberg Lab
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Antonio DiGiandomenico, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Microbiology Fall 2005.
Thesis:
Protection from Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pneumonia After Vaccination with Recombinant Live Attenuated Salmonaella: Correlates of Protective Immunity in the Respiratory Tract
Current Lab
Research Fellow
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Research
My research is focused on the development of recombinant cell penetrating (CP) suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins that can be therapeutically used to inhibit excessive inflammation in a murine model of acute lung injury.
I hypothesize that therapeutic supplementation of intracellular stores of these inhibitory molecules will prevent or lessen the deleterious effects of excessive inflammation in the lung and could have major implications for individuals who are stricken with bacterial pneumonia and suffer unwarranted levels or morbidity.
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2004
Nima Mosammaparast
Lucy Pemberton Lab |
Nima Mosammaparast, M.D., Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Microbiology Spring 2005.
Thesis:
Core Histone Nuclear Transport: Mechanisms and links to Chromatin Assembly
Current Lab
Clinical Pathology Resident 2006 to present
Brigham and Womens' Hospital
Research
Nima's research has focused on the molecular mechanism via which distinct nuclear transport factors, also called karyopherins, import chromatin components including histones into the nucleus. He has extended this work to look at how nuclear import may interface with other nuclear processes such as chromatin assembly.
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 2003
Li Zhang
Kodi S. Ravichandran Lab
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Li Zhang, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Microbiology Fall 2004.
Thesis:
Genetic studies of Shc function in T cells
Current Lab
Post-doctoral Fellow,
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University
Research
In an attempt to understand the role of Shc during T cell development, so we constructed a conditional transgenic mouse that expresses a dominant-negative (phosphorylation-defective) form of Shc confined to the T cell lineage. After we showed expression of the Shc isoform, we have advanced studies to understand effects on proliferation, differentiation, and even thymic maturation, proving that Shc phosphorylation plays an essential and non-redundant role in T cell development.
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