Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Immunology & Microbiology

Neuroscience

Genetics

Molecular Cell Biology

Physiology & Pharmacology

Antonio Amelio, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

David C. Bloom, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 2000 - December 2005

Dissertation Title

Factors involved in epigenetic regulation of the HSV-1 reactivation critical region (rcr) during latency and reactivation

Professional Positions

Education

M.S., Business Administration - Concentration Management, University of Florida, 2004

B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) Microbiology & Cell Science, Univeristy of Florida, 2000

Publications

Amelio AL, McAnany PK, Bloom DC.  CTCF Binds to Several Clusters of CTCF Consensus Motifs within the HSV-1 Genome during Latency.  J Virol Submitted 

Kubat NJ, Amelio AL, Giordani NV, Bloom DC.  The Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Latency-Associated Transcript (LAT) Enhancer/rcr Is Hyperacetylated during Latency Independent of Lat Transcription.  J Virol 78:12508-12518 abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

30th International Herpes Virus Workshop, Turku, Finland.  July 2005.  Amelio AL, Bloom DC.  Identification of a Chromatin Insulator with Enhancer-Blocking Activity Located within the HSV-1 LAT region.  Poster/Oral

24th Annual American Society for Virology Meeting, Penn State Univ, PA.  June 2005.  Amelio AL, Bloom DC.  Characterization of a cell-type specific transcriptional boundary in the HSV-1 LAT locus.  Oral.

2nd Annual Florida TechTransfer Conference, Orlando, FL.  May 2005.  Amelio, Bloom DC.  Insulated Herpesvirus-Derived Expression Cassette and Insulated Viral Artificial Chromosome (IVAC) for Sustained and Regulatable Gene Delivery to the Nervous System.  Poster.

29th Internation Herpesvirus Workshop, Reno, NV.  2004.  Amelio AL, Jubat NJ, Giordani NV, Bloom DC.  Transcription of the LAT is not required to maintain hyperacetylation of the region encoding the LAT 5' exon.  Poster.

36th Annual Student Science Training Program Research Presentation, Gainesville, FL.  1994.  Amelio AL, Welt B, Teixieira AA.  The effects of Pre-Irradiation on the thermal resistance of Bacillus stearothermophilus spores.

Honors & Awards

Gold Medal Finalist, Medical Guild Graduate Student Research Competition, 2005

First Place, Genetics Advanced Concentration, Medical Guild Graduate Student Research Concentration, 2005

President of the College of Medicine Graduate Organization, 2001-2002

UF President's Honor Roll, 1999

Golden Key National Honor Society, 1999

Alpha Zeta Professional Fraternity, 1999

Hazel N. Crews Academic Scholarship, 1998-1999

College Student of the Year, Indian River Community College 1997-1998

Donald C. Hicks Memorial "Stars" Academic Scholarship, 1996-1998

Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, 1996-1998

Lourdes M. Andino, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Alfred S. Lewin, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 2000 - August 2006

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Education

Publications

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

Honors & Awards

Jennifer Bongorno, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Alfred S. Lewin, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1998 - December 2005

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. Biochemistry, Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Education

Christopher Bray, (M.D., Ph.D.)

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Edward W. Scott, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 2000 - August 2005 (Ph.D. portion of M.D./Ph.D. program)

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Medical Student, UF College of Medicine

Education

B.S., Florida State University

Publications

Lauren Morges Brum, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Richard W. Moyer, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1998 - May 2003

Dissertation Title

Characterization of the poxvirus serpins SPI-1 and SPI-3  (full-text)

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida College of Pharmacy

Education

Publications

Brum LM, Lopez MC, Varela JC, Baker HV, Moyer RW.  Microarray analysis of A549 cells infected with rabbitpox virus (RPV): a comparison of wild-type RPV and RPV deleted for the host range gene, SPI-1. Virology. 2003 Oct 25;315(2):322-34.  abstract

Brum LM, Turner PC, Devick H, Baquero MT, Moyer RW. P lasma membrane localization and fusion inhibitory activity of the cowpox virus serpin SPI-3 require a functional signal sequence and the virus encoded hemagglutinin. Virology. 2003 Feb 15;306(2):289-302.  abstract

Kevin S. Cahill (M.D./Ph.D.)

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D.

Department

Pediatrics;  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 2000 - December 2003

Dissertation Title

Enhancement of stem-cell transplantation strategies for muscle regeneration  (full text)

Professional Positions

Medical Student, University of Florida College of Medicine (MD/Ph.D. program)

Education

BS, University of Florida, 1999

Publications

Cahill KS, Toma C, Pittenger MF, Kessler PD, Byrne BJ.  Cell therapy in the heart: cell production, transplantation, and applications. Methods Mol Biol. 2003;219:73-81.  abstract

Toma C, Pittenger MF, Cahill KS, Byrne BJ, Kessler PD.  Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiate to a cardiomyocyte phenotype in the adult murine heart. Circulation. 2002 Jan 1;105(1):93-8.  abstract

Stormy J. Chamberlain, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Camilynn I. Brannan, Ph.D. & James L. Resnick, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1997 - May 2003

Dissertation Title

Elucidation of imprinting mechanisms and phenotypes in Prader-Willi syndrome mice

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Dept. of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Education

B.A., Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Publications

Chamberlain SJ, Brannan CI.  The Prader-Willi syndrome imprinting center activates the paternally expressed murine Ube3a antisense transcript but represses paternal Ube3a. Genomics. 2001 May 1;73(3):316-22.  abstract

Vanrheenen SM, Reilly BA, Chamberlain SJ, Waters MG.  Dsl1p, an essential protein required for membrane traffic at the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi interface in yeast. Traffic. 2001 Mar;2(3):212-31.  abstract

Lee S, Kozlov S, Hernandez L, Chamberlain SJ, Brannan CI, Stewart CL, Wevrick R.  Expression and imprinting of MAGEL2 suggest a role in Prader-willi syndrome and the homologous murine imprinting phenotype. Hum Mol Genet. 2000 Jul 22;9(12):1813-9.  abstract

Honors & Awards

Medical Guild Graduate Student Research Competition, First Place Genetics, First Place Overall, 2003

Catherine E. Charron, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Philip J. Laipis, Ph.D.

Department

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Enrolled

August 2001 - August 2005

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions 

Education

Publications

Christin Collins, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Jin-Xiong She, Ph.D.

Department

Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine

Enrolled 

August 1999 - May 2005

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA

Publications

Eckenrode SE, Ruan QG, Collins CD, Yang P, McIndoe RA, Muir A, She JX.  Molecular pathways altered by insulin b9-23 immunization. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Dec;1037:175-85.  abstract

Yang L, Zhao H, Li SW, Ahrens K, Collins C, Eckenrode S, Ruan QG, McIndoe RA, She JX. Gene expression profiling during all-trans retinoic acid-induced cell differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. J Mol Diagn. 2003 Nov;5(4):212-21.  abstract

Zhu H, Zhao H, Collins CD, Eckenrode SE, Ruan Q, McIndoe RA, Crawford JM, Nelson DR, She JX, Liu C. Gene expression associated with interferon alfa antiviral activity in an HCV replicon cell line. Hepatology. 2003 May;37(5):1180-8.  abstract

Thomas J. Conlon, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Terence R. Flotte, M.D.

Department

Pediatrics;  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1998 -August 2004

Dissertation Title

Hepatocyte transduction by recombinant adeno-associated virus as an approach to gene therapy for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and fatty acid oxidation disorders

Professional Positions

Education

Publications

Conlon TJ, Flotte TR.  Recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors for gene therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2004 Jul;4(7):1093-101.  abstract

Loiler SA, Conlon TJ, Song S, Tang Q, Warrington KH, Agarwal A, Kapturczak M, Li C, Ricordi C, Atkinson MA, Muzyczka N, Flotte TR. Targeting recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors to enhance gene transfer to pancreatic islets and liver. Gene Ther. 2003 Sep;10(18):1551-8.  abstract

Owen R 4th, Mandel RJ, Ammini CV, Conlon TJ, Kerr DS, Stacpoole PW, Flotte TR. Gene therapy for pyruvate dehydrogenase E1alpha deficiency using recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2) vectors. Mol Ther. 2002 Sep;6(3):394-9.  abstract

Wu P, Xiao W, Conlon T, Hughes J, Agbandje-McKenna M, Ferkol T, Flotte T, Muzyczka N. Mutational analysis of the adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) capsid gene and construction of AAV2 vectors with altered tropism. J Virol. 2000 Sep;74(18):8635-47.  abstract

Kerry O. Cresawn, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology;  Pediatrics

Enrolled

August 1998 - May 2004

Dissertation Title

Liver-directed strategies and immunologic consequences of recombinant AAV-mediated cross-correction of glycogen storage disease type II

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate (lab of Dr. Barry Byrne), Department of Pediatrics, UF College of Medcine

Education

B.S., James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Publications

Mah C, Fraites TJ Jr, Cresawn KO, Zolotukhin I, Lewis MA, Byrne BJ.  A new method for recombinant adeno-associated virus vector delivery to murine diaphragm. Mol Ther. 2004 Mar;9(3):458-63.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings During Graduate Studies

Cresawn,KO, Porvasnik,SL, Raben,R, Plotz, PR and BJ Byrne. Inhibition of Humoral Immunity in Liver-Targeted Gene Therapy for Glycogen Storage Disease Type II. American Society of Gene Therapy 5th Annual Meeting, June 5-9, 2002. Molecular Ther., Vol 5, (5) Part 2 of 2; S342, May 2002.

Steven Cresawn, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Richard C. Condit, Ph.D. 

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled 

August 1999 - April 2005

Education

B.S., Chemistry, University of Florida

Dissertation Research

Publications

Prins C, Cresawn SG, Condit RC.  An isatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone-resistant vaccinia virus containing a mutation in the second largest subunit of the viral RNA polymerase is defective in transcription elongation. J Biol Chem. 2004 Oct 22;279(43):44858-71. Epub 2004 Aug 3. abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

Honors & Awards

Hui-Jia Dong, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Daniel J. Driscoll, Ph.D., M.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled 

August 2000 - April 2005

Education

B.S., Microbiology

Dissertation Research

Epigenetic modifications in the Angelman and Prader-Willi region of chromosome 15

Publications

Lossie AC, Whitney MM, Amidon D, Dong HJ, Chen P, Theriaque D, Hutson A, Nicholls RD, Zori RT, Williams CA, Driscoll DJ. Distinct phenotypes distinguish the molecular classes of Angelman syndrome. J Med Genet. 2001 Dec;38(12):834-45.  abstract

Sarah E. Eckenrode, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Jin-Xiong She, Ph.D.

Department

Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine

Enrolled

Augst 1997 - August 2002

Dissertation Title

Characterization of the molecular basis of type 1 diabetes using linkage and microarray analysis  (full-text)

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA

Education

BA, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA

Publications

Eckenrode SE, Ruan Q, Yang P, Zheng W, McIndoe RA, She JX.  Gene Expression Profiles Define a Key Checkpoint for Type 1 Diabetes in NOD Mice. Diabetes. 2004 Feb;53(2):366-75.  abstract

Yang L, Zhao H, Li SW, Ahrens K, Collins C, Eckenrode S, Ruan QG, McIndoe RA, She JX.  Gene expression profiling during all-trans retinoic acid-induced cell differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. J Mol Diagn. 2003 Nov;5(4):212-21.  abstract

Wilson KH, Eckenrode SE, Li QZ, Ruan QG, Yang P, Shi JD, Davoodi-Semiromi A, McIndoe RA, Croker BP, She JX.  Microarray analysis of gene expression in the kidneys of new- and post-onset diabetic NOD mice. Diabetes. 2003 Aug;52(8):2151-9.  abstract

Zhu H, Zhao H, Collins CD, Eckenrode SE, Ruan Q, McIndoe RA, Crawford JM, Nelson DR, She JX, Liu C.  Gene expression associated with interferon alfa antiviral activity in an HCV replicon cell line. Hepatology. 2003 May;37(5):1180-8.  abstract

Kukar T, Eckenrode S, Gu Y, Lian W, Megginson M, She JX, Wu D.  Protein microarrays to detect protein-protein interactions using red and green fluorescent proteins. Anal Biochem. 2002 Jul 1;306(1):50-4.  abstract

Li QZ, Eckenrode S, Ruan QG, Wang CY, Shi JD, McIndoe RA, She JX.  Rapid decrease of RNA level of a novel mouse mitochondria solute carrier protein (Mscp) gene at 4-5 weeks of age. Mamm Genome. 2001 Nov;12(11):830-6.  abstract

Yang MC, Ruan QG, Yang JJ, Eckenrode S, Wu S, McIndoe RA, She JX.  A statistical method for flagging weak spots improves normalization and ratio estimates in microarrays. Physiol Genomics. 2001 Oct 10;7(1):45-53.  abstract

Li QZ, Wang CY, Shi JD, Ruan QG, Eckenrode S, Davoodi-Semiromi A, Kukar T, Gu Y, Lian W, Wu D, She JX.  Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse and human TUSP gene, a novel member of the tubby superfamily. Gene. 2001 Aug 8;273(2):275-84.  abstract

Eckenrode S, Marron MP, Nicholls R, Yang MC, Yang JJ, Guida Fonseca LC, She JX.  Fine-mapping of the type 1 diabetes locus (IDDM4) on chromosome 11q and evaluation of two candidate genes (FADD and GALN) by affected sibpair and linkage-disequilibrium analyses. Hum Genet. 2000 Jan;106(1):14-8.  abstract

Marron MP, Zeidler A, Raffel LJ, Eckenrode SE, Yang JJ, Hopkins DI, Garchon HJ, Jacob CO, Serrano-Rios M, Martinez Larrad MT, Park Y, Bach JF, Rotter JI, Yang MC, She JX.  Genetic and physical mapping of a type 1 diabetes susceptibility gene (IDDM12) to a 100-kb phagemid artificial chromosome clone containing D2S72-CTLA4-D2S105 on chromosome 2q33. Diabetes. 2000 Mar;49(3):492-9.  abstract

Reimsnider SK, Eckenrode SE, Marron MP, Muir A, She JX.  IL4 and IL4Ralpha genes are not linked or associated with type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Res. 2000 Feb;47(2):246-9.  abstract

Lauren Fishbein (M.D./Ph.D.)

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Margaret R. Wallace, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1999 - August 2004 (M.D./Ph.D. program)

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Medical Student, University of Florida College of Medicine (M.D./Ph.D. program)

Education

B.A., Biochemistry, Vassar College, NY

Publications

Fishbein L, Eady B, Sanek N, Muir D, Wallace MR.  Analysis of somatic NF1 promoter methylation in plexiform neurofibromas and Schwann cells.  2004 Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics. (in press)

Thomson SA, Fishbein L, Wallace MR.  NF1 mutations and molecular testing. J Child Neurol. 2002 Aug;17(8):555-61; discussion 571-2, 646-51. Review.  abstract

Fishbein L, O'Brien P, Hutson A, Theriaque D, Stacpoole PW, Flotte T.  Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of nicotine nasal spray devices on cardiovascular and pulmonary function. J Investig Med. 2000 Nov;48(6):435-40.  abstract

Hutson AD, Fishbein L, O'Brien P, Stacpoole PW.  Accounting for plasma levels below detection limits in a one-compartment zeroorder absorption pharmacokinetics model.  J Applied Statistics.  2000 29(8): 1181-1190.

Pokrywka NJ, Fishbein L, Frederick J.  New phenotypes associated with the swallow gene of Drosophila: evidence for a general role in oocyte cytoskeletal organization. Dev Genes Evol. 2000 Sep;210(8-9):426-35.  abstract

 Honors & Awards

NRSA from NINDS for predoctoral MD/PhD fellows, Aug 2002 - Aug 2007

National Cancer Institute Cancer Biology Training Grant, Oct 2001 - July 2002

American Society of Human Genetics, Member ,1999-present

The American Federation of Medical Research (AFMR) Student Travel Grant Award to the Experimental Biology Conference in Washington, DC, 1999

University of Florida Medical Student Summer Research Grant, 1998

American Medical Women's Association, Member, 1997-1999

The Olive M. Lammert Prize for Excellence in the Study of Biochemistry

Vassar College Departmental Honors in Biochemistry, 1997

Vassar College General Honors, 1997

Eating Disorder Reachout Service, Vassar College, 1994-1997.  President 1996-97, Secretary 1995-96.

The Listening Center Peer Counseling, Vassar College 1994-1997.  President 1996-97, Counselor trainer.

Thomas J. Fraites, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology;  Pediatrics

Enrolled

August 2000 - December 2003

Dissertation Title

Muscle-directed gene and enzyme replacement therapies for glycogen storage disorder type II, Pompe disease

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate (lab of Dr. Barry Byrne), Dept. Pediatrics, UF College of Medcine

Education

B.S., Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

M.S., Medical Sciences, M.B.A., University of Florida

Publications

Zolotukhin S, Potter M, Zolotukhin I, Sakai Y, Loiler S, Fraites TJ Jr, Chiodo VA, Phillipsberg T, Muzyczka N, Hauswirth WW, Flotte TR, Byrne BJ, Snyder RO.  Production and purification of serotype 1, 2, and 5 recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors. Methods. 2002 Oct;28(2):158-67.  abstract

Mah C, Fraites TJ Jr, Zolotukhin I, Song S, Flotte TR, Dobson J, Batich C, Byrne BJ.  Improved method of recombinant AAV2 delivery for systemic targeted gene therapy. Mol Ther. 2002 Jul;6(1):106-12.  abstract

Fraites TJ Jr, Schleissing MR, Shanely RA, Walter GA, Cloutier DA, Zolotukhin I, Pauly DF, Raben N, Plotz PH, Powers SK, Kessler PD, Byrne BJ.  Correction of the enzymatic and functional deficits in a model of Pompe disease using adeno-associated virus vectors. Mol Ther. 2002 May;5(5 Pt 1):571-8.  abstract

Pauly DF, Fraites TJ, Toma C, Bayes HS, Huie ML, Hirschhorn R, Plotz PH, Raben N, Kessler PD, Byrne BJ.  Intercellular transfer of the virally derived precursor form of acid alpha-glucosidase corrects the enzyme deficiency in inherited cardioskeletal myopathy Pompe disease. Hum Gene Ther. 2001 Mar 20;12(5):527-38.  abstract

Fraites TJ Jr, Saeki A, Kass DA.  Effect of altering filling pattern on diastolic pressure-volume curve. Circulation. 1997 Dec 16;96(12):4408-14.  abstract

Honors & Awards

National Merit Scholar, Johns Hopkins University, 1992

Provost's Undergraduate Award for Research and Excellence, Johns Hopkins University, 1995

American Society of Gene Therapy, Student Award for Excellence in Research, 2000

Beta Gamma Sigma, University of Florida, 2000

Poe/Southern Family Business Ethics Fellow, University of Florida, 2000

Linton E. Grinter Graduate School Fellowship, University of Florida, 2000

American Heart Association, Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate, 2000-2002

Jason J. Fritz, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

William W. Hauswirth, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1997 - August 2004

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Neurodegenrative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Education

B.S., Microbiology, University of South Florida

Publications

Fritz JJ, Lewin A, Hauswirth W, Agarwal A, Grant M, Shaw L. Development of hammerhead ribozymes to modulate endogenous gene expression for functional studies. Methods. 2002 Oct;28(2):276-85.  abstract

Fritz JJ, White DA, Lewin AS, Hauswirth WW. Designing and characterizing hammerhead ribozymes for use in AAV vector-mediated retinal gene therapies. Methods Enzymol. 2002;346:358-77.  abstract

Rahul N. Kanadia, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Maurice S. Swanson, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1999 - May 2004

Dissertation Title

Involvement of muscleblind proteins in pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy  

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate (lab of Dr. Maurice Swanson), Dept. Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, UF College of Medcine

Education

B.S., Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, FL

Publications

Kanadia RN, Shin J, Yuan Y, Beattie SG, Wheeler TM, Thornton CA, Swanson MS. Reversal of RNA missplicing and myotonia after muscleblind overexpression in a mouse poly(CUG) model for myotonic dystrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Aug 1;103(31):11748-53.  abstract

Lin X, Miller JW, Mankodi A, Kanadia RN, Yuan Y, Moxley RT, Swanson MS, Thornton CA. Failure of MBNL1-dependent post-natal splicing transitions in myotonic dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet. 2006 Jul 1;15(13):2087-97.  abstract

Kanadia RN, Johnstone KA, Mankodi A, Lungu C, Thornton CA, Esson D, Timmers AM, Hauswirth WW, Swanson MS.  A muscleblind knockout model for myotonic dystrophy. Science. 2003 Dec 12;302(5652):1978-80.  abstract

Kanadia RN, Urbinati CR, Crusselle VJ, Luo D, Lee YJ, Harrison JK, Oh SP, Swanson MS.  Developmental expression of mouse muscleblind genes Mbnl1, Mbnl2 and Mbnl3. Gene Expr Patterns. 2003 Aug;3(4):459-62.  abstract

Kuo WN, Kanadia RN, Shanbhag VP, Toro R.  Denitration of peroxynitrite-treated proteins by 'protein nitratases' from rat brain and heart. Mol Cell Biochem. 1999 Nov;201(1-2):11-6.  abstract

Kuo WN, Kanadia RN, Shanbhag VP, Morgan R. Modification of proteins and polynucleotides by peroxynitrite. Cytobios. 1999;99(390):47-55.  abstract

Kuo WN, Kanadia RN, Shanbhag VP.  Denitration of peroxynitrite-treated proteins by "protein nitratases" from dog prostate. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1999 Jun;47(6):1061-7.  abstract

Kanadia RN, Kuo WN, Mcnabb M, Botchway A. Constitutive nitric oxide synthase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1998 Sep;45(6):1081-7. abstract

Kuo WN, Kanadia RN, Mcnabb M. Soluble guanylate cyclase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1998 Jun;45(1):125-31.  abstract

Kuo WN, McNabb M, Kanadia RN, Dopson N, Morgan R.  The presence/absence of Bcl-2, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV, calretinin and p53 in baker's yeast and wheat germ. Cytobios. 1997;91(364):7-13.  abstract

Kuo WN, Jn-Baptiste JB, Zhai L, Chambers MC, Kanadia R.  Immunoreactivities of p11 and calcyclin in baker's yeast, wheat germ and lobster. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1997 Jan;41(1):209-15.  abstract

Kuo WN, Jn-Baptiste JB, Kanadia RN, McNabb LD, Zhai L, Weeks K, Dopson N, Chambers MC. Immunoreactivities of m-calpain, calpastatin, nitric oxide synthase, myelin basic protein and dynamin II in baker's yeast, wheat germ and lobster tail muscle. Cytobios. 1996;87(351):251-63.  abstract

Honors & Awards

Medical Guild Graduate Student Research Competition, First Place in Genetics, Second Place Overall, 2004

Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Reseach, UF College of Medicine, 2003

Lee Kaplan, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Department

Enrolled

August 2001 - December 2005

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Education  B.S., Psychology and Genetics, University of Stellenbosch (South Africa)

Publications

Zhang J, Kumar A, Kaplan L, Fricker FJ, Wallace MR.  Genetic linkage of a novel autosomal dominant restrictive cardiomyopathy locus. J Med Genet. 2005 Aug;42(8):663-5.  abstract

Mogil JS, Ritchie J, Smith SB, Strasburg K, Kaplan L, Wallace MR, Romberg RR, Bijl H, Sarton EY, Fillingim RB, Dahan A.  Melanocortin-1 receptor gene variants affect pain and mu-opioid analgesia in mice and humans. J Med Genet. 2005 Jul;42(7):583-7.  abstract

Fillingim RB, Kaplan L, Staud R, Ness TJ, Glover TL, Campbell CM, Mogil JS, Wallace MR.  The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism of the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) is associated with pressure pain sensitivity in humans. J Pain. 2005 Mar;6(3):159-67.  abstract

Hill-Harfe KL, Kaplan L, Stalker HJ, Zori RT, Pop R, Scherer G, Wallace MR. Fine Mapping of Chromosome 17 Translocation Breakpoints >/=900 Kb Upstream of SOX9 in Acampomelic Campomelic Dysplasia and a Mild, Familial Skeletal Dysplasia. Am J Hum Genet. 2005 Feb 16;76(4) [Epub ahead of print] abstract

Mogil JS, Wilson SG, Chesler EJ, Rankin AL, Nemmani KV, Lariviere WR, Groce MK, Wallace MR, Kaplan L, Staud R, Ness TJ, Glover TL, Stankova M, Mayorov A, Hruby VJ, Grisel JE, Fillingim RB. The melanocortin-1 receptor gene mediates female-specific mechanisms of analgesia in mice and humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2003 Apr 15;100(8):4867-72.  abstract

Stalker H, Zori R, Wallace M, Hill-Harfe K, Kaplan L. Reply to Unger: The mildest form of campomelic dysplasia. Am J Med Genet A. 2005 Jan 1;132A(1):114-5.

Metcalf T, Kelley K, Erdos GW, Kaplan L, West CM. Formation of the outer layer of the Dictyostelium spore coat depends on the inner-layer protein SP85/PsB. Microbiology. 2003 Feb;149(Pt 2):305-17.  abstract

West CM, Zhang P, McGlynn AC, Kaplan L. Outside-in signaling of cellulose synthesis by a spore coat protein in Dictyostelium. Eukaryot Cell. 2002 Apr;1(2):281-92.   abstract

Van Der Wel H, Morris HR, Panico M, Paxton T, Dell A, Kaplan L, West CM. Molecular cloning and expression of a UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc):hydroxyproline polypeptide GlcNAc-transferase that modifies Skp1 in the cytoplasm of dictyostelium. J Biol Chem. 2002 Nov 29;277(48):46328-37.   abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

Hill-Harfe, Katherine, Lee Kaplan, Heather Stalker, Roberto Zori, Margaret Wallace. Molecular Analysis of a Translocation Breakpoint in a Family with Dominant Skeletal Dysplasia: Toward a Novel Gene/Mechanism. American College of Medical Genetics Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, 2004, Orlando Florida. (Poster jointly presented with Dr. Hill-Harfe).

Kaplan, L, R. Fillingim, M. Agbandje-McKenna, R. Staud, T. Glover, C. Campbell, J. Mogil, M. Wallace.  Functional Effects of the t80g snp of the delta opioid Receptor in Baseline Pain Sensitivity.  The 2nd Joint Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society and the Canadian Pain Society 2004, Vancouver, BC.

Fillingim, R., L. Kaplan, R. Staud, T. Ness, T. Glover, C. Campbell, J. Mogil, M. Wallace The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism of the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) is associated with pressure pain sensitivity in humans.  The 2nd Joint Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society and the Canadian Pain Society, 2004,Vancouver, BC.

2003-04 President, University of Florida College of Medicine Graduate Student Organization

2003-present Member of the American Pain Society

2002-present Member of the American Society of Human Genetics

2002-03 Vice President, Univ. Florida College of Medicine Graduate Student Organization

Ahmad M. Khalil, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Daniel J. Driscoll, Ph.D., M.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 2000 - December 2004

Dissertation Title

Histone modifications and chromatin dynamics of the mammalian inactive sex chromosomes

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Pediatric Genetics, Center for Mammalian Genetics, The Genetics Institute, UF College of Medicine

Education

B.A., Biology, University of Kansas

Publications

Khalil AM, and Driscoll DJ.  Histone H3 lysine 4 dimethylation is enriched on the inactive sex chromosomes in male meiosis but absent on the inactive X in female somatic cells. Cytogenet Genome Res 2006;112  (in press)

Khalil AM, Boyar FZ, Driscoll DJ.  Dynamic histone modifications mark sex chromosome inactivation and reactivation during mammalian spermatogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Nov 9;101:16583-16587.  abstract

Khalil AM, Driscoll DJ.  Tri-methylation of Histone H3 Lysine 4 is an Epigenetic Mark for Regions Escaping X Inactivation.  (in preparation)

Khalil AM, Driscoll DJ.  Histone 3 Lysine 4 Dimethylation is Enriched on the Inactive X in Male Meiosis but Absent on the Inactive X in Females.  (in preparation)

Honors & Awards

Postdoctoral Award, Keystone Symposia: Epigenetics and Chromatin Remodeling in Development, Keystone, CO, January 2006

Finalist, Postdoctoral Basic Science Outstanding Research Award, American Society of Human Genetics, Salt Lake City, UT, October 26-30, 2005 (Note: three finalists are selected each year)

Platform Presentation, American Society of Human Genetics, Salt Lake City, UT, October 25-29, 2005

2005 NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Institute of Health (NIH) and the University of Florida College of Medicine

Postdoctoral Award, Keystone Symposia - Chromatin Modification Pathways, Snowbird, Utah, March 2005

First Place, Predoctoral Basic Science Outstanding Research Award, 2004 American Society of Human Genetics, Toronto

Platform Presentation, 2004 American Society of Human Genetics, Toronto

2004 Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Research Award, University of Florida College of Medicine

Lalor Foundation Merit Award for Outstanding Research, 2004 Society for the Study of Reproduction, Vancouver, Canada

Lalor Foundation Fellowship, 2004 Society for the Study of Reproduction, Vancouver, Canada

Finalist, Trainee Research Award, 2004 Society for the Study of Reproduction, Vancouver, Canada

Platform Presentation, 2004 Gordon Conference (Mammalian Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis), CT

Scholarship, 2004 Keystone Symposia (Emerging Mechanisms of Epigenetic Regulation), CA

Second Place, Predoctoral Basic Science Outstanding Research Award, 2003 American Society of Human Genetics, Los Angeles, CA

Platform Presentation, 2003 American Society of Human Genetics, Los Angeles, CA

President’s Award for Educational Excellence

Honors Program, Kansas Alumni Association

Crowell Book Award, University of Kansas

McNair Merit Award, University of Kansas

Kansas Honor Scholar for Outstanding Academic Achievements

Abstracts Presented at Meetings Through Graduate Studies

American Society of Human Genetics, Salt Lake City, UT, October 2005, "Epigenetic Regulation of Pericentromeric Heterochromatin during Mammalian Meiosis" (selected for platform presentation)

American Society of Human Genetics, Toronto, Canada, October 2004

Society for the Study of Reproduction, Vancouver, Canada, August 2004

Gordon Conference (Mammalian Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis), Connecticut College, June 2004

Keystone Symposia (Emerging Mechanisms of Epigenetic Regulation), Lake Tahoe, CA, January 2004

American Society of Human Genetics, Los Angeles, CA, November 2003

American College of Medical Genetics, San Diego, CA, March 2003

University of Florida College of Medicine Research Day, April 2003 and 2004

Pediatrics Science Day at the University of Florida, 2003 and 2004

University of Florida Graduate & Professional Student Forum, April 2002 and 2003

Christine Kiefer, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Thomas P. Yang, Ph.D. 

Department

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Enrolled 

August 1998 - May 2005

Education

B.S., Microbiology, B.A., Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University

Dissertation Research

Identification, establishment, and maintenance of genomic imprints

Publications

Geyer CB, Kiefer CM, Yang TP, McCarrey JR.  Ontogeny of a demethylation domain and its relationship to activation of tissue-specific transcription. Biol Reprod. 2004 Sep;71(3):837-44. Epub 2004 May 12.  abstract

Kang SH, Kiefer CM, Yang TP.  Role of the promoter in maintaining transcriptionally active chromatin structure and DNA methylation patterns in vivo. Mol Cell Biol. 2003 Jun;23(12):4150-61.  abstract

Donald R. Latner, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Richard C. Condit, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1996 - December 2001

Dissertation Title

Characterization of the vaccinia virus J3 protein as a positive transcription elongation factor

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Education

B.S., University of Georgia

Publications

Latner DR, Thompson JM, Gershon PD, Storrs C, Condit RC.  The positive transcription elongation factor activity of the vaccinia virus J3 protein is independent from its (nucleoside-2'-O-) methyltransferase and poly(A) polymerase stimulatory functions. Virology. 2002 Sep 15;301(1):64-80.  abstract

Mohamed MR, Latner DR, Condit RC, Niles EG.  Interaction between the J3R subunit of vaccinia virus poly(A) polymerase and the H4L subunit of the viral RNA polymerase. Virology. 2001 Feb 1;280(1):143-52.  abstract

Xiang Y, Latner DR, Niles EG, Condit RC.  Transcription elongation activity of the vaccinia virus J3 protein in vivo is independent of poly(A) polymerase stimulation. Virology. 2000 Apr 10;269(2):356-69.  abstract

Latner DR, Xiang Y, Lewis JI, Condit J, Condit RC.  The vaccinia virus bifunctional gene J3 (nucleoside-2'-O-)-methyltransferase and poly(A) polymerase stimulatory factor is implicated as a positive transcription elongation factor by two genetic approaches. Virology. 2000 Apr 10;269(2):345-55.  abstract

Benjamin Luttge, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Richard W. Moyer, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1997 - May 2004

Dissertation Title

Isolation, characterization, mapping, and analysis of suppressors of rabbitpox virus mutants in the SPI-1 gene

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, HIV Drug Resistance Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD

Education

B.S., University of Florida

B.A., Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Publications

Koenig JM, Luttge B, Benson NA, Christensen RD.  Cell cycle status of CD34+ cells in human fetal bone marrow. Early Hum Dev. 2001 Dec;65(2):159-63.  abstract

Sidhu H, Ogden SD, Lung HY, Luttge BG, Baetz AL, Peck AB.  DNA sequencing and expression of the formyl coenzyme A transferase gene, frc, from Oxalobacter formigenes. J Bacteriol. 1997 May;179(10):3378-81.  abstract

Cornelius JG, Luttge BG, Peck AB.  Antioxidant enzyme activities in IDD-prone and IDD-resistant mice: a comparative study. Free Radic Biol Med. 1993 Apr;14(4):409-20.  abstract

Danielle M. Maatouk, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

James L. Resnick, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1999 - August 2004

Dissertation Title

Regulatory mechanisms controlling primordial germ cell differentiation within the murine fetal gonad

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Dept. of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, UF College of Medicine

Education

Publications

Maatouk DM, Kellam LD, Mann MR, Lei H, Li E, Bartolomei MS, Resnick JL.  DNA methylation is a primary mechanism for silencing postmigratory primordial germ cell genes in both germ cell and somatic cell lineages. Development. 2006 Sep;133(17):3411-8.  abstract

Maatouk DM, Resnick JL. Continuing primordial germ cell differentiation in the mouse embryo is a cell-intrinsic program sensitive to DNA methylation. Dev Biol. 2003 Jun 1;258(1):201-8.  abstract

Gregory P. Marshall, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Edward W. Scott, Ph.D. 

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled 

August 2000 - May 2005

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral fellow, UF Department of Neuroscience

Education

B.S., Biology,  St. Andrews Presbyterian College

Dissertation Research

Neurospheres and multipotent astrocytic stem cells:  Neural progenitor cells rather than neural stem cells

Publications

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

Honors & Awards

Priscilla F. McAullife, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D. 

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled 

August 2001 - August 2005

Professional Positions

Surgery Resident, College of Medicine, UF

Education

B.S., Biological Sciences, Cornell University

Publications

Scumpia PO, Delano MJ, Kelly KM, O'Malley KA, Efron PA, McAuliffe PF, Brusko T, Ungaro R, Barker T, Wynn JL, Atkinson MA, Reeves WH, Salzler MJ, Moldawer LL.  Increased natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and their suppressor activity do not contribute to mortality in murine polymicrobial sepsis. J Immunol. 2006 Dec 1;177(11):7943-9.  abstract

Matsumoto T, O'Malley K, Efron PA, Burger C, McAuliffe PF, Scumpia PO, Uchida T, Tschoeke SK, Fujita S, Moldawer LL, Hemming AW, Foley DP.  Interleukin-6 and STAT3 protect the liver from hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury during ischemic preconditioning. Surgery. 2006 Nov;140(5):793-802.  abstract

McAuliffe PF, Murday ME, Efron PA, Scumpia PO, Ungaro R, Abouhamze A, Tannahill CL, Hutchins B, LaFace D, Moldawer LL. Dose-dependent improvements in outcome with adenoviral expression of interleukin-10 in a murine model of multisystem organ failure.  Gene Ther. 2006 Feb;13(3):276-82. abstract

McAuliffe PF, Efron PA, Scumpia PO, Uchida T, Mutschlecner SC, Rout WR, Moldawer LL, Cendan JC.  Varying blood monocyte and dendritic cell responses after laparoscopic versus open gastric bypass surgery.
Obes Surg. 2005 Nov-Dec;15(10):1424-31. abstract

Christian Muller, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Terence R. Flotte, M.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 2001 - August 2006

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Education

Publications

Muller C, Braag S, Herlihy JD, Wasserfall C, Chesrown SE, Nick HS, Atkinson MA, Flotte TR. Enhanced IgE allergic response to Aspergillus fumigatus in CFTR-/- mice. J Lab Invest. Feb. 2006  (in press)

Sirninger J, Muller C, Braag S, Tang Q, Yue H, Detrisac C, Ferkol T, Guggino WB, Flotte TR. Related Articles, Links Functional characterization of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 5-pseudotyped cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator vector. Hum Gene Ther. 2004 Sep;15(9):832-41. abstract

Virella-Lowell I, Herlihy JD, Liu B, Lopez C, Cruz P, Muller C, Baker HV, Flotte TR.  Effects of CFTR, interleukin-10, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on gene expression profiles in a CF bronchial epithelial cell Line. Mol Ther. 2004 Sep;10(3):562-73. abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

T Conlon, R Owen, C Muller, K Foust, T Flotte. AAV-based Gene Therapy for Inborn Errors of Metabolism Affecting Short-chain Acyl CoA Dehydrogenase (SCAD) Molecular Therapy Vol3 #5 May 2001

C Muller, J Sirninger, SBraag, SE Chesrown, TR Flotte. Dept. of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, Genetics Institute, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL. A CFTR KNOCKOUT MOUSE MODEL OF ALLERGIC BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS American Thoracic Society Conference. Orlando Florida U.S.A. May 21-26 2004.

C Muller, J Sirninger, SBraag, SE Chesrown, TR Flotte. Dept. of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, Genetics Institute, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL. A HYPER-IgE MEDIATED CFTR KNOCKOUT MOUSE MODEL OF ABPA North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, St. Louis Missouri U.S.A October 14-17 2004.

C Muller, D Torrez , S Braag, SE Chesrown, TR Flotte. Dept. of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, Genetics Institute, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL. CORRECTION OF HYPER-IgE CFTR DEPENDENT INFLAMMATION WITH rAAV5 delta264CFTR GENE THERAPY North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Baltimore MD U.S.A 2005.

Stalvey M ; Muller C; Wasserfall C; Brusko T; Schatz D; Atkinson M; Flotte TR. MODELING CYSTIC FIBROSIS RELATED DIABETES IN CFTR-DEFICIENT MICE: EFFECTS OF CFTR GENOTYPE ON GLYCEMIC CONTROL AFTER SUB-LETHAL BETA CELL INJURY OR PULMONARY SENSITIZATION AND CHALLENGE THERAPY North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Baltimore MD USA 2005

C Muller, J Sirninger, S Braag, SE Chesrown, TR Flotte. Dept. of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, Genetics Institute, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL. A CFTR KNOCKOUT MOUSE MODEL OF ALLERGIC BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS. Pediatrics Academics Societies', San Fransisco California U.S.A. May1-4 2004. Oral Presentation.

C Muller, S Braag, A Martino, M Atkinson, TR Flotte. Systemic rAAV-CB-IL-10 Expression and Its Long Term Effects on CD4+CD25+ T Cell Populations. American Society of Gene Therapy, St. Louis, MO. June 1-5 2005.  Oral Presentation.

Keith R. Nykamp, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Maurice S. Swanson, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1998 - December 2003

Dissertation Title

Coordination of MRNA 3' end formation and nuclear export by a nuclear poly(A)-Binding protein

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI

Education

B.A., Hope College, Holland, MI

Publications

Hector RE, Nykamp KR, Dheur S, Anderson JT, Non PJ, Urbinati CR, Wilson SM, Minvielle-Sebastia L, Swanson MS.  Dual requirement for yeast hnRNP Nab2p in mRNA poly(A) tail length control and nuclear export. EMBO J. 2002 Apr 2;21(7):1800-10.  abstract

Semple-Rowland SL, Larkin P, Bronson JD, Nykamp K, Streit WJ, Baehr W.  Characterization of the chicken GCAP gene array and analyses of GCAP1, GCAP2, and GC1 gene expression in normal and rd chicken pineal. Mol Vis. 1999 Jul 28;5:14.  abstract

Honors & Awards

Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Reseach, UF College of Medicine, 2002

Christina A. Pacak, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 2002

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions

Education

Publications

Mah C, Cresawn KO, Fraites TJ Jr, Pacak CA, Lewis MA, Zolotukhin I, Byrne BJ.  Sustained correction of glycogen storage disease type II using adeno-associated virus serotype 1 vectors. Gene Ther. 2005 Sep;12(18):1405-9.  abstract

Schnepp BC, Clark KR, Klemanski DL, Pacak CA, Johnson PR. Genetic fate of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector genomes in muscle.  J Virol. 2003 Mar;77(6):3495-504.  abstract

McGovern VL, Pacak CA, Sewell ST, Turski ML, Seeger MA.  A targeted gain of function screen in the embryonic CNS of Drosophila. Mech Dev. 2003 Oct;120(10):1193-207. abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

Poster: rAAV-Mediated Gene Therapy to Treat Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2D (LGMD-2D). CA Pacak, GS Gaidosh, D Cloutier, I Zolotukin, K Campbell, GA Walter, BJ Byrne. June 2004 American Society of Gene Therapy, Minneapolis MN.

Oral and Poster Presentations: rAAV-Mediated Gene Therapy to Treat Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2D (LGMD-2D). CA Pacak, GS Gaidosh, D Cloutier, I Zolotukin, K Campbell, GA Walter, BJ Byrne. November 2003 Gene Therapy Symposium, Sonoma CA.

Honors & Awards

Edwin G. Peery, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

James L. Resnick, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1997 - December 2004

Dissertation Title

Using mouse models to study the mechanism of imprinting involved in Prader-Willi and Angelman Syndromes

Professional Positions

Education

B.S., University of Virginia, Main Campus

Publications

El-Maarri O, Buiting K, Peery EG, Kroisel PM, Balaban B, Wagner K, Urman B, Heyd J, Lich C, Brannan CI, Walter J, Horsthemke B. Maternal methylation imprints on human chromosome 15 are established during or after fertilization. Nat Genet. 2001 Mar;27(3):341-4.  abstract

Brian J. Raisler, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

William W. Hauswirth, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1998 - December 2003

Dissertation Title

Adeno-associated virus type-2 mediated expression of pigmented epithelium derived factor or kringles 1-3 of angiostatin reduced neovascular retinopathies  (full text)

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Ophthalmology, UF College of Medicine

Education

B.S. Microbiology, University of Florida

Publications

Raisler BJ, Berns KI, Grant MB, Beliaev D, Hauswirth WW.  Adeno-associated virus type-2 expression of pigmented epithelium-derived factor or Kringles 1-3 of angiostatin reduce retinal neovascularization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2002 Jun 25;99(13):8909-14.  abstract

Mori K, Gehlbach P, Yamamoto S, Duh E, Zack DJ, Li Q, Berns KI, Raisler BJ, Hauswirth WW, Campochiaro PA.  AAV-mediated gene transfer of pigment epithelium-derived factor inhibits choroidal neovascularization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002 Jun;43(6):1994-2000.  abstract

Honors & Awards

University of Florida Graduate Student Forum, First Place in Human Physiology & Medicine, 2002

Medical Guild Graduate Student Research Competition, First Place in Genetics, Second Place Overall, 2003

Qingguo Ruan, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Jin-Xiong She, Ph.D.

Department

Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine

Enrolled

August 2000 - August 2004

Dissertation Title

AIRE regulates central and peripheral tolerance through direct control of autoantigens and other key genes in thymus epithelial cells and dendritic cells

Professional Positions

Education

B.S., Genetics, Hunan Normal University (P.R. China)

M.S., Medical Genetics,  Hunan Medical University (P.R. China)

Publications

Eckenrode SE, Ruan Q, Yang P, Zheng W, McIndoe RA, She JX. Gene Expression Profiles Define a Key Checkpoint for Type 1 Diabetes in NOD Mice. Diabetes. 2004 Feb;53(2):366-75.  abstract

Yang L, Zhao H, Li SW, Ahrens K, Collins C, Eckenrode S, Ruan QG, McIndoe RA, She JX. Gene expression profiling during all-trans retinoic acid-induced cell differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. J Mol Diagn. 2003 Nov;5(4):212-21.  abstract

Zhu H, Zhao H, Collins CD, Eckenrode SE, Ruan Q, McIndoe RA, Crawford JM, Nelson DR, She JX, Liu C. Gene expression associated with interferon alfa antiviral activity in an HCV replicon cell line. Hepatology. 2003 May;37(5):1180-8.  abstract

Wilson KH, Eckenrode SE, Li QZ, Ruan QG, Yang P, Shi JD, Davoodi-Semiromi A, McIndoe RA, Croker BP, She JX. Microarray analysis of gene expression in the kidneys of new- and post-onset diabetic NOD mice. Diabetes. 2003 Aug;52(8):2151-9.  abstract

Li QZ, Eckenrode S, Ruan QG, Wang CY, Shi JD, McIndoe RA, She JX. Rapid decrease of RNA level of a novel mouse mitochondria solute carrier protein (Mscp) gene at 4-5 weeks of age. Mamm Genome. 2001 Nov;12(11):830-6.  abstract

Yang MC, Ruan QG, Yang JJ, Eckenrode S, Wu S, McIndoe RA, She JX. A statistical method for flagging weak spots improves normalization and ratio estimates in microarrays. Physiol Genomics. 2001 Oct 10;7(1):45-53.  abstract

Li QZ, Wang CY, Shi JD, Ruan QG, Eckenrode S, Davoodi-Semiromi A, Kukar T, Gu Y, Lian W, Wu D, She JX. Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse and human TUSP gene, a novel member of the tubby superfamily. Gene. 2001 Aug 8;273(2):275-84.  abstract

Kumar PG, Laloraya M, Wang CY, Ruan QG, Davoodi-Semiromi A, Kao KJ, She JX. The autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a DNA-binding protein. J Biol Chem. 2001 Nov 2;276(44):41357-64.  abstract

Shi JD, Wang CY, Marron MP, Ruan QG, Huang YQ, Detter JC, She JX. Chromosomal localization and complete genomic sequence of the murine autoimmune regulator gene (Aire). Autoimmunity. 1999;31(1):47-53.  abstract 

Ruan QG, Wang CY, Shi JD, She JX. Expression and alternative splicing of the mouse autoimmune regulator gene (Aire). J Autoimmun. 1999 Nov;13(3):307-13.  abstract

Wang CY, Huang YQ, Shi JD, Marron MP, Ruan QG, Hawkins-Lee B, Ochoa B, She JX. Genetic homogeneity, high-resolution mapping, and mutation analysis of the urofacial (Ochoa) syndrome and exclusion of the glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase gene (GOT1) in the critical region as the disease gene. Am J Med Genet. 1999 Jun 11;84(5):454-9.  abstract

Muir A, Ruan QG, Marron MP, She JX. The IDDMK(1,2)22 retrovirus is not detectable in either mRNA or genomic DNA from patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes. 1999 Jan;48(1):219-22.  abstract

Mary Rucker Schleissing, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology;  Pediatrics

Enrolled

August 1997 - December 2002

Dissertation Title

Biochemical and functional analysis after in utero delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus to a mouse model of glycogen storage disease type II  (full-text)

Professional Positions

Law School, University of Florida

Education

B.S., Chemistry, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL

Publications

Mah C, Sarkar R, Zolotukhin I, Schleissing M, Xiao X, Kazazian HH, Byrne BJ.  Dual vectors expressing murine factor VIII result in sustained correction of hemophilia A mice. Hum Gene Ther. 2003 Jan 20;14(2):143-52.  abstract

Fraites TJ Jr, Schleissing MR, Shanely RA, Walter GA, Cloutier DA, Zolotukhin I, Pauly DF, Raben N, Plotz PH, Powers SK, Kessler PD, Byrne BJ.  Correction of the enzymatic and functional deficits in a model of Pompe disease using adeno-associated virus vectors. Mol Ther. 2002 May;5(5 Pt 1):571-8.  abstract

Honors & Awards

Graduate Fellowship for Outstanding Research, UF College of Medicine, 2001

Susanne A. Thomson, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Margaret R. Wallace, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1997 - December 2002

Dissertation Title

Genetic analysis of NF1 and neurofibromatosis type 1 tumorigenesis

Professional Positions

Postdoctoral Associate, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Education

M.S., University of Georgia

Publications

Thomson SA, Fishbein L, Wallace MR.  NF1 mutations and molecular testing. J Child Neurol. 2002 Aug;17(8):555-61; discussion 571-2, 646-51.  abstract

Thomson SA, Wallace MR.  RT-PCR splicing analysis of the NF1 open reading frame. Hum Genet. 2002 May;110(5):495-502.  abstract

Rasmussen SA, Overman J, Thomson SA, Colman SD, Abernathy CR, Trimpert RE, Moose R, Virdi G, Roux K, Bauer M, Rojiani AM, Maria BL, Muir D, Wallace MR.  Chromosome 17 loss-of-heterozygosity studies in benign and malignant tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2000 Aug;28(4):425-31.  abstract

Thomson SA, Rasmussen SA, Zhang J, Wallace MR.  A new hereditary cylindromatosis family associated with CYLD1 on chromosome 16. Hum Genet. 1999 Jul-Aug;105(1-2):171-3.  abstract

Jessica Walrath, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Margaret R. Wallace, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1999 - December 2005

Dissertation Title

Characterization of the genes at the EPI-2 locus and their potential roles in Neurofibromatosis 1-dependent Myeloid Leukemia

Professional Positions Postdoc in Dr. Wallace's Lab

Education University of Notre Dame

Publications

Chronister CW, Walrath JC, Goldberger BA.  Rapid detection of benzoylecgonine in vitreous humor by enzyme immunoassay. J Anal Toxicol. 2001 Oct;25(7):621-4.  abstract

Abstracts Presented at Meetings during Graduate Studies

Dennis White, Ph.D.

Advanced Concentration

Genetics

Mentor

Alfred S. Lewin, Ph.D.

Department

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Enrolled

August 1997 - Spring 2006

Dissertation Title

Professional Positions 

Education  University of Georgia

Publications

Fritz JJ, White DA, Lewin AS, Hauswirth WW. Designing and characterizing hammerhead ribozymes for use in AAV vector-mediated retinal gene therapies. Methods Enzymol. 2002;346:358-77.  abstract