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Supported by an IDeA grant from the National Center
for Research Resources, NIH
Melissa Glenn, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Colby College
mjglenn@colby.edu
http://www.colby.edu/directory_cs/mjglenn/
BSc, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1994, Psychology
PhD, Concordia University, 2003, PsychologyDr. Glenn’s research aims to understand the interplay that occurs between brain and behavior over the lifespan. Using rats as subjects, she examines behavioral change from the cradle to the grave. Events in the perinatal period can have an immediate impact on brain and behavior and these effects can alter rats’ responses to their environment and lead to very different adult function as well as altered cognitive and brain aging. She have found that differing amounts of the nutrient choline during prenatal development has a lasting effect on brain plasticity and behavior. Her immediate research goals are focused on more fully characterizing and understanding these effects: andon the neural mechanisms that underlie the behavioral changes and how altered behavioral responses to novelty may contribute to differences in brain plasticity over the lifespan. Other research efforts include studying sex differences in and the hormonal modulation of brain plasticity and learning and memory.
Glenn, M.J., Gibson, E.M., Kirby, E.D., Mellot, T.J., Blusztajn, J.K., & Williams, C.L. (2007). Prenatal choline availability modulates hippocampal neurogenesis and neurogenic responses to enriching experiences in adult female rats. European Journal of Neuroscience, 25, 2473-2482.
Lehmann, H., Glenn, M.J., & Mumby, D.G. (2007). Consolidation of object-discrimination memory is independent of the hippocampal formation in rats. Experimental Brain Reseach, 180, 755-764.
Glenn, M.J., Lehmann, H., & Mumby, D.G., & Woodside, B. (2005). Differential fos expression following aspiration, electrolytic, or excitotoxic lesions of the perirhinal cortex in rats. Behavioral Neuroscience, 119, 806-813.
Glenn, M.J., Nesbitt, C., & Mumby, D.G. (2003). Perirhinal cortex lesions produce variable patterns of retrograde amnesia in rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 141,183-193.
Mumby, D.G., Glenn, M.J., Nesbitt, C., & Kyriazis, D. (2002). Dissociation of retrograde memory for object discriminations and object identity in rats with perirhinal cortex damage. Behavioural Brain Research, 132, 215-226.
Mumby, D.G., Cameli, L., Glenn, M.J. (1999). Impaired allocentric spatial working memory and intact retrograde memory after thalamic damage caused by thiamine deficiency in rats. Behavioral Neuroscience, 113, 42-50.
Glenn, M.J., & Mumby, D.G. (1998). Place memory is intact in rats with perirhinal cortex lesions. Behavioral Neuroscience, 112, 1353-1365.
Lynn G. Hannum
Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor of Biology
Colby College
lghannum@colby.edu
http://www.colby.edu/directory_cs/lghannum/
BS, Bates College, 1987, Biology
PhD, Yale University, 1999, ImmunobiologyDr. Hannum’s research investigates the presence of circadian patterns in the immune system of a teleost fish. Information gained by this work will lay the foundation for more extensive future research on the influence of internal clocks on leukocyte activity in a range of teleost fish species, as well as comparison with mammalian immune cell rhythms, which are now starting to be characterized. Current research identifies cyclic patterns of activity in innate immune system leukocytes, as well as whether melatonin affects the functioning of these cells.
Wong, S.F., Wen, L., Tang, M., Ramanathan, M., Visintin, I., Daugherty, J., Hannum, L.G., Janeway, C.A., and M.J. Shlomchik. 2004. Investigation of the role of B cells in type 1 diabetes in the NOD mouse. Diabetes 53: 2581-2587.
Harris, D.E., Hannum, L. and Gupta, S. 2004. Contributing factors to student success in Anatomy and Physiology. American Biology Teacher 66:168-175.
Hannum, L.G. and Harris, D. E. 2003. Age is no barrier to success in a computer-intensive human biology course. Journal of College Science Teaching 33:14-17.
Matthews, A. E., Weiss,S. R., Shlomchik,M. J., Hannum, L. G., Gombold, J. L., and Patterson, Y. 2001. Antibody is required for clearance of infectious murine hepatitis virus A59 from the central nervous system, but not the liver. J. Immunology 167: 5254-5263.
Peter Joshua Kavaler
Assistant Professor of Biology
Colby College
jkavaler@colby.edu
http://www.colby.edu/directory_cs/jkavaler/
AB, Haverford College, 1982, Biology
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1991, Immunology
Postdoctoral Fellow UCSD, 1993-1998, Developmental BiologyDr. Kavaler’s research is focused on sensory system development in Drosophila melanogaster. The lab studies the mechanisms by which different cell fates are partitioned during development and how each cell type differentiates to help produce a functional organ for the peripheral nervous system.
Currently, work in the lab involves an investigation of the function of the transcription factor D-Pax2, a protein expressed in both photosensory and mechanosensory organs in Drosophila. The mammalian homologs of this protein are central to the proper development of eyes and ears. Projects include the identification of transcriptional targets of D-Pax2 in different tissues and an examination of the regulation of D-Pax2 expression during sensory organ development.
Caton, A J, Kavaler, J, Gerhard, W, and Koprowski, H. 1991. Isolation and characterization of influenza virus HA-specific antibodies from a combinatorial expression library. Vaccines 91. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, p. 333.
Nguyen, K A, Mandik, L, Bui, A, Kavaler, J, Norvell, A, Monroe, J G, Roark, J H, Erikson, J. 1997. Characterization of anti-single-stranded DNA B cells in a non-autoimmune background. J Immunol 159(6):2633.
Kavaler, J, Fu, W, Noll, M, and Posakony, J. 1999. An essential role for the Drosophila Pax2 homologue in the differentiation of adult sensory organs. Development 126(10):2261.
Lai, E, Bodner, R, Kavaler, J, Freschi, G, and Posakony, J. 2000. Antagonism of Notch signaling activity by members of a novel protein family encoded by the Bearded and Enhancer of split gene complexes. Development 127:291.
Dziedzic, K, Heaphy, J, Parker, H, and Kavaler, J. The transcription factor D-Pax2 regulates Crystallin production during eye development in Drosophila melanogaster. (manuscript in preparation)
Julie Millard, Ph.D.
Dr. Gerald and Myra Dorros Professor of Life Sciences
Chair, Chemistry Department
Colby College
jtmillar@colby.edu
http://www.colby.edu/directory_cs/jtmillar/
BA Amherst College, 1984, chemistry and neuroscience
PhD Brown University, 1988, biochemistry
Postdoc University of Washington, 1988-1990The Millard research group is interested in the interactions of small molecules with DNA, focusing on the question of how some small molecules cause cancer whereas others act as anti-cancer drugs. Dr. Millard primarily uses polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to examine DNA sites targeted by interstrand cross-linking agents and to probe structural abnormalities induced by cross-linking. She is currently most focused on ondiepoxybutane, the metabolite of butadiene believed to be responsible for increased levels of cancer in those exposed to it industrially.
Sawyer, G.A., Frederick, E.D., and Millard, J.T. Flanking Sequences Modulate Diepoxide and Mustard Cross-Linking Efficiencies at the 5'-GNC Site. Chemical Research in Toxicology 17:1057-1063, 2004.
Millard, J.T., Katz, J.L., Goda, J., Frederick, E.D., Pierce, S.E., Speed, T.J., and Thamattoor, D.M. DNA Interstrand Cross-Linking by a Mycotoxic Diepoxide . Biochimie 86:419, 2004.
Millard, J.T., Hanly, T.C., Park, S., and Tretyakova, N. The 5’-GNC Site for DNA Interstrand Cross-linking is Conserved for Diepoxybutane Stereoisomers. Chemical Research in Toxicology 19:16-19, 2006.
Millard, J.T., Adventures in Chemistry, a textbook for non-majors; Houghton-Mifflin Company. 2007.
LaRiviere, F.J., Miller L.M., and Millard, J.T. Showing the True Face of Chemistry in a Service-Learning Outreach Course. Journal of Chemical Education 84:1636-1639, 2007.
Romano, K.P., Newman, A.G., Zahran, R.W. and Millard, J.T. DNA Interstrand Cross-Linking by Epichlorohydrin. Chemical Research in Toxicology 20:832-838, 2007.
Kevin P. Rice, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Colby College
kprice@colby.edu
http://www.colby.edu/directory_cs/kprice/
BA, Colby College, 1996, Chemistry/Biochemistry
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000, BiochemistryThe Rice lab is interested in how enzymes are involved in the onset and treatment of cancer. We are currently studying the mechanisms of action of a novel anticancer compound called Cloretazine. This agent is currently in clinical trials towards the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia and glioblastoma multiforme. Cloretazine is a prodrug, which when activated in the cell yields two reactive compounds: a chloroethylating species and methyl isocyanate. The chloroethylating species ultimately forms cytotoxic, interstrand DNA crosslinks. Methyl isocyanate possesses carbamoylating activity that synergizes with DNA damage generated by the chloroethylating activity. Known to react preferentially with sulfhydryl groups, methyl isocyanate can modify cysteine residues in the active sites of enzymes and affect their activity. He is interested in several enzymes as targets likely to be modified with a carbamoyl group from methyl isocyanate, specifically those involved in DNA metabolism.
Lin ZP, Zhu YL, Johnson DR, Rice KP, Nottoli T, Hains BC, McGrath J, Waxman AC, and Sartorelli AC. Disruption of cAMP and prostaglandin E2 transport by multidrug resistance protein 4 deficiency alters cAMP-mediated signaling and nociceptive response. Mol Pharmacol, 2008; 73:243-251.
Rice KP, Penketh PG, Shyam K, and Sartorelli AC. Differential inhibition of cellular glutathione reductase activity by isocyanates generated from the antitumor prodrugs Cloretazine and BCNU. Biochem Pharmacol. 2005; 69:1463-1472.
Schneider TL, Mathew RS, Rice KP, Tamaki K, Wood JL, and Schepartz A. Increasing the kinase specificity of k252a by protein surface recognition. Org Lett. 2005; 7:1695-1698.
Rice KP, Eggler AL, Sung P, and Cox MM. DNA pairing and strand exchange by the E. coli RecA and yeast Rad51 proteins: On the importance of not getting stuck. J Biol Chem. 2001; 276:38570-38581.
Cox MM and Rice KP. Recombinational DNA Repair in Bacteria: Postreplication. Encyclopedia of the Life Sciences 2001. Macmillan Press. URL: www.els.net.
Rice KP, Chaput JC, Cox MM, and Switzer CY. RecA Protein Promotes Strand Exchange with Substrates Containing Isoguanine and 5-Methyl Isocytosine. Biochemistry 2000; 39:10177-10188.
Andrea J. Tilden, Ph.D.
J. Warren Merrill Associate Professor of Biology
Colby College
artilden@colby.edu
http://www.colby.edu/directory_cs/artilden/
BS, Alma College, 1988, Biology
PhD, University of Oklahoma, 1994, ZoologyDr. Tilden studies the effects of melantonin on: locomotor activity, metabolic effects (hemolymph and hepatopancreas glucose, lactate, and glycogen levels), neuromodulatory roles, neurite outgrowth, and receptor-mediated modulation of functional and anatomical neural plasticity in crustaceans. In the lab, she has been studying the potential role of the neurohormone melatonin (MEL) in the transduction of photoperiodic and tidal information in intertidal crustaceans such as the sand fiddler crab (Uca pugilator) and the green shore crab (Carcinus maenas). Dr. Tilden collaborates with Robin Cooper (Univ. of Kentucky), Barbara Beltz (Wellesley) and David Towle (MDIBL).
Tilden, A.R., P. Rasmussen, R.M. Awantang, S. Furlan, J. Goldstein, M. Palsgrove, A. Sauer. 1997. Melatonin cycle in the fiddler crab Uca pugilator and influence of melatonin on limb regeneration. Journal of Pineal Research, 23:142-147.
Tilden, A.R., Jennifer Alt, Kathleen Brummer, Rachel Groth, Kate Herwig, Aaron Wilson, Stephanie Wilson. 2001. Influence of photoperiod on N-acetyltransferase activity and melatonin in the fiddler crab Uca pugilator. General and Comparative Endocrinology 122:233-237.
Tilden, A.R., Liz McGann, Janine Schwartz, Adina Bowe, Christina Salazar. 2001. Effect of melatonin on hemolymph glucose and lactate levels in the fiddler crab Uca pugilator. Journal of Experimental Zoology 290:379-383.
Tilden, A.R., J. Kearney Shanahan, Zahra S. Khilji, Jeffrey G. Owen, Thomas W. Sterio, Kristy T. Thurston. 2003. Melatonin and locomotor activity in the fiddler crab Uca pugilator Journal of Experimental Zoology. 297A:80-87.
Tilden, A.R., Brauch, R., Ball, R., Aura M. Janze, Ali H. Ghaffari, Katherine T. Sweeney, Jamie C. Yurek, R.L. Cooper. 2003. Modulatory effects of melatonin on behavior, hemolymph metabolites, and neurotransmitter release in crayfish. Brain Research 992:252-262.