|
|
 |
Undergraduate Institution and Major/Degree:
- Macalester College, BA, Biology, Neuroscience, 2000
Major Advisor(s):
Research Description:
Gene expression activated by the neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) underlies such diverse processes as the refinement of neuronal connections during development, to learning and memory within the adult brain, to hyperalgesia following tissue injury and inflammation . To date, however, the mechanisms by which these neurotrophins induce gene expression are not fully understood. Recently, members of the NFATc family of transcription factors have also been implicated in shaping long-term changes in cellular functioning. Intriguingly, neurotrophin signaling appears ideally suited to activate NFATc transcription factors. As such, the experiments of my thesis project are designed to investigate the role of NFAT-dependent transcription in the neurotrophin-mediated gene expression required to establish enduring changes in synaptic neurotransmission. These experiments are organized to address the following three specific aims:
-
To determine whether NFAT-dependent transcription underlies BDNF-mediated activity-dependent synaptic plasticity within hippocampal neurons.
-
To determine whether NFAT-dependent transcription underlies neurotrophin-mediated activity-dependent synaptic plasticity within DRG and spinal neurons.
-
To determine whether neurotrophin-induced NFAT-dependent transcription underlies the development of hyperalgesia .
The proposed research will serve to further the understanding of:(1) the mechanisms by which neurotrophin signaling elicits lasting changes in cellular functioning, (2) the regulation of NFAT-dependent transcription within the nervous system, and (3) the mechanism underlying the establishment of hyperalgesia, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic approaches, by examining the role of NFATc transcription factors in neurotrophin-mediated gene expression in vitro and in a model of persistent pain in vivo.
Lab Rotations:
- Virginia Seybold
- Don Simone
- Paul Mermelstein
Courses Taken Beyond the Core Courses:
- GCD 8121 Adv Mol Genetics
- NSC 8221 Neurobiol Pain
- NSC 5462 Neurosci Drug Abuse
- NSC 8222 Cent Reg Auto Funct
Graduate Level Minor:
Conferences Attended and Presentations:
Conferences Attended:
- Society for Neuroscience annual meeting - (1999 - 2004)
- Pain Interest Group Meeting (2000, 2003, 2005)
Committee Members:
- Glenn Giesler (chair)
- Paul Mermelstein
- Virginia Seybold
- Stan Thayer
Selected Publications and Presentations:
Publications:
Awards and Honors:
Professional Memberships:
Home Town:
| Present Position: |
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Stanford University |
| E-Mail: |
rgroth@stanford.edu |
|
|
