First name,Last name,Preferred title,Overview,Position,Department,Individual
Rajesh,Miranda,Professor,"My research is focused on fetal brain development, stem cells, microRNAs, and teratology. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the biological steps that transform uncommitted stem cells into neurons or a glial cells, and identifying key microRNAs that control the transformation of stem cells into neurons. We are also currently investigating what role teratogen-sensitive microRNAs play in fetal brain growth, and the spatial patterning of the emerging forebrain.",Professor,Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n0b271ea8
James,Womack,Distinguished Professor,"Comparative mammalian genomics with emphasis on bovids and laboratory animals. Study of evolution of gene families and genomic variation underlying disease resistance. Investigation of genetic mechanisms in innate immunity with focus on livestock, select agents, and agricultural biosecurity.",Distinguished Professor,Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n0e1a49e2
Kayla,Bayless,Associate Professor,"My laboratory conducts research in two areas of molecular and cellular medicine: the mechanism through which primary human endothelial cells invade into 3D matrices, and communication between invading endothelial cells and their surrounding 3D collagen matrix.",Associate Professor,Cell Biology and Genetics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n1dd3799c
Maheedhar,Kodali,Research Scientist,,Research Scientist,Cell Biology and Genetics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n283c3c68
Robert,Rosa,Research Professor,,Research Professor,Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n2ab0c984
Shaodong,Guo,Professor and Presidential Impact Fellow,"The long-term goal of our research is to study the molecular mechanisms of insulin signal transduction, insulin resistance and associated cardiovascular dysfunction, aiming at nutritional and therapeutic intervention for control of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. My laboratory is focused on the study of cellular signaling and gene transcriptional regulation of metabolic homeostasis that are governed by the PI3K->Akt->FoxO pathway, with the hope of understanding how dysregulation of this pathway in insulin/IGF-1 action causes liver damage, cardiovascular dysfunction, and pancreatic beta cell failure, resulting in diabetes, obesity, and organ failure.",Professor,Nutrition,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n2ef8f395
Qinglei,Li,Professor,"My long-term research goal is to identify the cellular and molecular basis of pregnancy failure and uterine dysfunction, thereby contributing to a framework for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve reproductive potential. To benefit human and animal health, research in my lab focuses on defining the mechanism underlying uterine development and the pathogenesis of gynecologic cancers. My laboratory has created mouse models that harbor genetic modifications of critical transforming growth factor ? (TGF?) signaling components using conditional loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches in the uterus. These models have yielded new insights into the fundamental roles of TGF? signaling in reproductive tract development and function. We have also developed pre-clinical mouse models for ovarian granulosa cell tumor and endometrial cancer. These disease models may be harnessed to uncover new opportunities for cancer treatment.",Professor||Professor,The Texas A&M University System||Veterinary Integrative Biosciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n408645cd
Shannon,Glaser,Professor,"The long-term goal of my research program is to understand how activated (proliferating) cholangiocytes participate in the progression of cholestatic liver diseases and eventual development of cholangiocarcinoma. My research is focused on elucidating the factors (such as, mechanical stress) and intracellular signaling mechanisms that regulate cholangiocyte proliferation and biliary fibrosis during extrahepatic cholestasis.",Professor,Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n424a02f1
Travis,Hein,Professor,"My laboratory studies the regulation of microvascular function at the level of arterioles in the retinal and coronary circulations. Sufficient blood flow supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues to maintain normal function is controlled in large part by changes in the diameter of arterioles. Vasoconstriction or vasodilation of these small arteries will decrease or increase blood flow and nutrient delivery to the tissue, respectively. Two key chemical factors that are produced within the endothelial cells of blood vessels to control their diameter are nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator, and endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor. An imbalance in the production and/or release of these vasoactive factors has been implicated in the early stages of several cardiovascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms contributing to these pathophysiological changes remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, our research focuses on identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the vasomotor responses of arterioles to NO and endothelin-1 under conditions of health and disease. Current approaches that we use to investigate these mechanisms in the microcirculation include isolated and perfused arterioles, cultured vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, biochemical and molecular techniques (for detection of NO, superoxide anion, protein, and mRNA in arterioles), pharmacological and silencing RNA (siRNA) treatments, and blood flow velocity assessment via Doppler ultrasound.",Professor,Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n45051e1b
Narendra,Kumar,Associate Professor,"1. Obesity associated metabolic syndrome (MetS) is both a US and a worldwide epidemic and a major burden to healthcare system. Chronic low-grade inflammation (CLGI) is a well-established characteristic of the obese-human condition and though, the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa is the first tissue that interacts with dietary components and luminal microbiota both of which are known to regulate obesity, the research on the role of GI-mucosa in obesity associated MetS is lacking. Findings from my lab support a key role of Janus kinase 3 (Jak3), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, in intestinal and systemic CLGI associated obesity and diabetes in both an animal-model and in humans. Our publications, and unpublished data indicate that Jak3 regulates; colonic and systemic CLGI, and multiple symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Our goal is to determine the associated underlying mechanisms. Our current focus is on tissue-specific roles of Jak3 and associated signaling complexes in CLGI-onset as a precursor for; (a) obesity and diabetes, (b) Obesity and Alzheimer's disease, and (c) inflammatory bowel disease.
2. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that includes Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of gastrointestinal tract. Annual death from these diseases are over 70,000.00, and the incidences of new cases have been rising over the years. Because the repairs of intestinal mucosa (Restitution) are compromised during IBD, the research focus of our lab is to dissect the roles of intestinal epithelial, intestinal immune cells and gut microbiota in mucosal restitution. Our lab was pioneered the functions of Jak3 in intestinal epithelial mucosa. We show that IL-2 (a cytokine produced during intestinal inflammation) promotes mucosal wound repair through Jak3 complexed with villin, ShcA, and ?-catenin. Studies are underway to define the tissue-specific Jak3-mediated signaling pathways that regulate CLGI as a precursor for the onset of IBD.",Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies||Associate Professor,Pharmaceutical Sciences||Pharmaceutical Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n5bcfc45e
Paul,de Figueiredo,Associate Professor,I have strong interests in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that mediate interactions between the intracellular bacterial pathogen Brucella spp. and host cells.,Associate Professor,Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n5e6f7b12
Ann,Kier,Professor Emerita,,Professor,Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n6c0ad160
Ivan,Ivanov,Clinical Professor,,Clinical Professor,Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n6fa588a3
Leslie,Adams,Senior Professor,"My research is focused on the: 1) investigation of the comparative molecular pathogenesis of zoonotic intracellular bacterial pathogens in natural animal models, particularly brucellosis, salmonellosis, and mycobacterial diseases; 2) development of vaccines and host gene expression-based diagnostics for zoonotic and select agent caused diseases, and especially 3) development of in silico host:pathogen interactome predictive models based upon bi-directional in vivo host (bovine/murine) and Brucella spp., Mycobacterium spp.and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium interactions. We developed an in silico computational infection biology model based on actuall temporal in vivo bovine model microarray-based transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of the acute infectious process. We developed a systems biology analysis of both host and pathogen comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic datasets derived from our in vivo biological model. We computationally fused the datasets based on actual Salmonella, Brucella and Mycobacterium data and computationally predicted bovine host structural proteins to identify maximum likelihoods of host and pathogen protein:protein interactions as the basis for our preliminary in silico interactome model to predict mechanistic genes and linked perturbed cellular pathways.",Senior Professor,Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n75fee121
Paula,Shireman,Professor,"Dr. Shireman is a Professor in the TAMU School of Medicine. She is board certified in vascular surgery, general surgery, wound care and clinical informatics. She is the PI of a pilot clinical trial with the College of Engineering on establishing artificial intelligence algorithms to monitor activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly subjects. Potential applications include aging in place, improved monitoring in healthcare/assisted living institutions and remote monitoring.
She is the PI of an NIH multicenter U01 grant developing predictive models for surgical outcomes including frailty and social risk factors. The goal is to use data to transform health care, influence federal policy and design financially sustainable care pathways improving outcomes for frail and low socioeconomic status patients. Her interests include predictive modeling, machine learning and simulation. She was a member of the MACRA Episode-Based Cost Measure Clinical Subcommittee to develop measures for Peripheral Vascular Disease Management and Chair of the Clinical Subcommittee Workgroup for Hemodialysis Access Creation.","Professor||Professor, Primary Care & Rural Medicine",Medical Physiology||School of Medicine,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n7fcb580a
Allison,Rice-Ficht,Senior Associate Vice President for Research,"Studies in the our lab are currently focused on the use of unique biomaterials for controlled release of live and subunit vaccines. Our focus is currently directed to the production of vaccines against human Brucellosisand Q fever, but will be applied to the storage and delivery of other vaccines. A study of specific immune mechanisms and potentiation through controlled releases is underway. Another focus is the study of alpha crystalline structure and function. These unique proteins protect against thermal insult and modulate folding and activity of other proteins",Professor||Senior Associate Vice President for Research,Cell Biology and Genetics||Division of Research,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n84a56c5b
Jayshree,Mishra,Research Assistant Professor,Role of drug transporter proteins in colonic mucosal innate immunity.
Post-translational modification of drug transporter proteins and its role in Multidrug resistance.
Biomarker development for colon cancer
Drug discovery for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis,Research Assistant Professor||Research Assistant Professor,Pharmaceutical Sciences||Pharmacy Practice,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n8c995b51
David,Threadgill,Professor,"Our laboratory uses the mouse as an experimental genetic model to investigate factors that contribute to inter-individual differences in health and disease. Ourcurrent research activities include the identification and functional characterization of alleles contributing to cancer susceptibility, the function of theErbbgenefamily in development and disease, and the role of genetic variation in response to environmental stimuli. To support these investigations, we also aredeveloping new genetic tools to support mammalian systems genetic approaches to phenotypes with complex genetic and environmental etiologies.",Director||Professor||Professor||Professor,Cell Biology and Genetics||Institute of Genome Sciences and Society||Biochemistry and Biophysics||Nutrition,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n8ee0b54f
Weston,Porter,Professor,y laboratory is interested in determining the role of factors in normal development and how disruption of these pathways results in associated pathologies.,Professor,Veterinary Integrative Biosciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n90e6f6c0
Robin,Young,Professor,"The Fuchs-Young laboratory studies the basic mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis, including the interaction (cross-talk) between the estrogen receptor alpha (ERa), IGF-1 and p53 signaling cascades. Our research utilizes a variety of unique in vivo and in vitro models, including transgenic and humanized mice. An underlying theme of our research is the discovery of bio-physiological determinants of disparities in breast cancer incidence and outcome. Another project focuses on the interdependent regulation of ER and p53, and the role of racially disproportionate p53 polymorphisms in mediating breast cancer development and progression. A new project in the laboratory project is focused on investigating the impact of exposure to metabolic syndrome during different stages of development on metabolic function and mammary cancer risk. This line of research was initiated, in part, due to the obesity epidemic in the US, and the increasing prevalence of obesity in younger children. Initial results show that manipulation of gestational, lactational and post-weaning diet can have very significant effects on susceptibility to mammary carcinogenesis.",Professor||Professor,Cell Biology and Genetics||Institute of Biosciences and Technology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n948adb5d
Gabriella,Ten Have,Research Assistant professor,"My current expert position within the Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity (CTRAL) is based on 25-years of expertise on nutrition, metabolism, and in vivo (patho)physiological studies involving the use of stable isotope approaches and methodologies in animals. I was heavily involved in the design and construction of the new Human Clinical Research Facility at Texas A&M University in 2016 (current home of CTRAL) which further increased my laboratory design, management, and leadership skills. As Director of Animal Research within CTRAL, I design the animal use and the stable isotope use protocols, and perform complex surgical procedures. I develop and implement new quantitative metabolic and stable isotope techniques and procedures in large and small animals. As co-director of the CTRAL analytical lab, I review, design, and collect data pertaining to human and animal stable isotope studies collaborating with national and international researchers. I am also responsible for the administrative responsibilities related to regulatory affairs, (budget) management of the labs and clinic. I oversee the coordination of analyses, all pharmacy related activities, quality control, lab personnel, general equipment maintenance, and laboratory safety procedures. I mentor CTRAL research assistants, graduate students and postdocs, and assist faculty and (inter)national collaborating faculty with grant writing and scientific publications. Finally, I'm a Managing editor of the journals Clinical Nutrition (IF:6.4) and Clinical Nutrition ESPEN.
Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Ten+Have+GA",Research Assistant Professor,Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n95e3ae10
Larry,Suva,Professor and Head,"The development, control and diseases of the musculoskeletal system have been my scholarly interests for the past 35+ years. Understanding how the musculoskeletal system adapts and progresses throughout life is the basis of my expertise. My research focus has been the skeletal consequences of disease, such as breast cancer bone metastasis and multiple myeloma, fracture healing, osteoporosis, and most recently rare bone diseases. Current research efforts include a focus on utilizing in vivo models (murine and large animals) to discover regulatory pathways fundamental to bone physiology and the development of rare bone disease preclinical model(s) that may provide novel insight into future therapeutic directions. A critical aspect of my academic philosophy is an open door policy and the importance of one-on-one interactions. We must strive to provide training and exposure for our students as they prepare for careers both in and out of academic medicine and research. I emphatically believe that these teaching and mentoring experiences have shaped my scientific career and have helped mold my teaching and mentoring philosophy of placing the best professional, academic, social and personal development of faculty, students and staff above all else.",Professor and Head,Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n98338eea
Chaodong,Wu,Professor and Presidential Impact Fellow,"The long-term goal of Dr. Wu's research program is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of obesity and overnutrition-associated metabolic diseases including insulin resistance, diabetes, and fatty liver disease so that novel dietary and/or pharmacological approaches can be developed for preventing and/or treating metabolic diseases. Using molecular, cellular, and integrative approaches, the Wu lab is focused on investigating the interaction between metabolism and inflammation.",Professor||Professor,Texas A&M AgriLife Research||Nutrition,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/na24a9d43
Jerome,Trzeciakowski,Professor and Associate Department Head,,Professor and Associate Department Head,Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/na90a7aab
Monique,Rijnkels,Research Associate Professor,"We are studying transcriptional regulation and the genomics of the mammary gland and the role of epigenetic events during mammary gland development and lactation. We use various genomics approaches to mammary gland biology and my laboratory has been using ChIP-seq, DNase-seq, ATAC-seq and other epigenomic approaches to determine chromosomal states at different developmental time points to determine the role of epigenetic regulation in mammary gland development and understand gene regulation in the mammary gland in general. We use transgenic mouse models to study gene regulation in mammary gland development and lactation.",Research Associate Professor,Veterinary Integrative Biosciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/na956415b
David,Zawieja,Regents Professor and Department Head,"My lab has had a number of research projects focusing on the study of lymphatic structure and function. Each of these projects has, as one of their objectives, the evaluation of the mechanisms (molecular, cellular, mechanical and tissue-level) regulating different aspects of lymphatic function. These projects focus on the ionic/calcium, contractile/regulatory proteins, molecular pathways that regulate lymph transport, lymphatic muscle function, the role of lymphatic function in the generation and resolution of tissue inflammation and the interactions between immune cells and the lymphatic cells. To support this work we have established cultured cell lines of both endothelial and muscle isolated from microlymphatics, acute and cultured isolated microlymphatic tissues, methodologies to evaluate lymphatic function at the single vessel, whole tissue and animal levels, methodologies to target cell-specific gene manipulation in isolated lymphatic tissues, approaches to microscopically image and model lymphatic network structure and function in 3D in lab animals. We have also evaluated the effects of space flight, various inflammatory mediators and other immune activation processes on lymphatic contractile and transport function and how these affect immunity. Finally, we have evaluated different types of lymphatic pathology resulting in lymphedema, various inflammatory diseases and immune dysfunction.",Regents Professor and Head||Professor and Associate Department Head,The Texas A&M University System||Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nad1e71e4
Stephen,Safe,Distinguished Professor,The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a nuclear helix-loop-helix transcription factor which forms a ligand-induced nuclear heterodimer with the AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt) protein. Research in this laboratory is focused on the molecular mechanism of crosstalk between the AhR and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathways in which the AhR inhibits estrogen-induced gene expression. The antiestrogenic activities of some AhR agonists are also being developed as drugs for clinical treatment of breast and endometrial cancers in women. Research on estrogen-dependent gene expression in various cancer cell lines is focused on analysis of several gene promoters to determine the mechanisms of ERa and ERb action. This includes several genes that are activated through interactions of the ER with Sp1 protein and other DNA-bound transcription factors.,Distinguished Professor||Distinguished Professor||Syd Kyle Chair,School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences||Biochemistry and Biophysics||Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nb20fdbd9
Ivan,Rusyn,Professor,"My laboratory has an active research portfolio funded by the National Institutes of Health and the US EPA with a focus on the mechanisms of action of environmental toxicants and the genetic determinants of the susceptibility to toxicant-induced injury. Through a combination of in vivo animal studies and experiments that utilize cellular and molecular models, we aim to better understand why certain chemicals cause cancer or organ damage in rodents and whether humans in general, or any susceptible sub-population in particular, are at risk from similar exposures.
The main focus of our inter-disciplinary research is on improving the linkages between exposures and adverse health effects Specifically, we develop innovative experimental methods and computational tools which enable analysis of data across multiple dimensions including SNPs, -omic endpoints, multiple chemicals and traditional toxicity phenotypes.","Professor, Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology",School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nb3daa5ce
Ashok,Shetty,Professor and Associate Director,"Dr. Ashok K. Shetty's laboratory is interested in developing clinically applicable strategies efficacious for enhancing brain function after injury, disease, or aging. The central areas of investigation are focused on:
o Mechanisms by which intranasally administered stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) promote neuroprotection, neuroregeneration, neural plasticity, and alleviate neuroinflammation. The sources of EVs include human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells (hiPSC-NSCs), astrocytes, and microglia. The model systems include traumatic brain injury (TBI), closed head injury (CHI), Aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
o Mechanisms by which transplanted human neural stem cells or human GABA-ergic precursor cells derived from hiPSCs promote brain repair, and alleviate spontaneous seizures, and cognitive and mood impairments in prototypes of SE, TLE, and TBI.
o Elucidating mechanisms of brain dysfunction and chronic neuroinflammation in prototypes of Gulf War Illness. Developing therapeutic strategies to alleviate neuroinflammation, systemic inflammation, and cognitive and mood impairments in models of GWI.
o Developing clinically feasible strategies for improving brain function in aging and AD models via stimulation of endogenous neural stem cells using drugs and biologics.
Dr. Shetty has received continuous extramural research funding as PI for >25 years from sources such as the NIH, DOD, Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA), and industry. These include seven R01 grant awards and an R21 grant award from the NIH; seven CDMRP grant awards from the DOD; five Merit Grant awards and two Research Career Scientist Awards from the VA; and two industry grants. He has also served as Co-I of 8 other DOD grants. Grants from the NIH, DOD, and industry fund Dr. Shetty's current research. Dr. Shetty has authored 181 peer-reviewed publications (147 as senior/first author) and edited a book on Neural Stem Cells in Health and Disease. His work has appeared in many prestigious and high-impact journals. Dr. Shetty has received >17,000 citations for his publications with an h-index of 64. Dr. Shetty has the distinction of serving on two NIH Study Sections and one VA study section as a Chartered Member. Besides, he has served as a member of many other study section panels of the NIH, DOD, VA, and Maryland State Stem Cell Research Fund. Dr. Shetty is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Aging & Disease and Associate Editor of 6 Neuroscience journals. He is also a Member of the Editorial Board of many prestigious journals, including The Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, Aging Cell, and Stem Cells. Dr. Shetty is a Fellow of the American Society for Neural Transplantation and Repair. Dr. Shetty received the Senior Research Excellence Award in 2021 from the TAMU College of Medicine and is among the ""World's Top 2% Scientists"" across all scientific fields.","Associate Director, Institute for Regenerative Medicine||Professor",Cell Biology and Genetics||Cell Biology and Genetics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nba613a86
Lih,Kuo,Regents Professor,"My research focuses on the physiological and pathophysiological regulation of coronary and retinal microcirculation. In the circulatory system, the amount of blood delivered to each tissue can be regulated by the activity of arterial microvessels (<100 m in diameter). Changes in vascular tone, i.e., constriction or dilation of these microvessels, will decrease or increase blood supply to the tissue, respectively. However, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of vascular tone are not completely understood. Our current research focuses on the regulation of microvascular tone by hemodynamic (e.g., pressure and shear stress), metabolic (e.g., adenosine, osmolarity, K+, pH, pO2) and neural (adrenergic receptors) factors. To have an integrative view on the flow regulation, this basic information are reconstructed using mathematical model and computer simulation technology. This research provides a basic foundation critical to our understanding of blood flow regulation in the microvascular network under normal and disease states.",Regents Professor,Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nbc742025
Nicolaas,Deutz,Professor,"My research background and expertise focus on nutrition, metabolism, and physiology studies involving the use of stable isotope methodologies, both in humans and animals. I also have extensive experience with isotopic calculations, validation and data interpretation.",Professor,Primary Care and Rural Medicine,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nbd596655
Vernon,Tesh,Professor,,Professor,Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nc2165f28
Peter,Nghiem,Associate Professor,"Molecular, cellular, and phenotypic characterization of the canine models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (golden retriever muscular dystrophy [GRMD]; german short-haired pointer muscular dystrophy [GSHPMD]; cavalier king charles spaniel muscular dystrophy). Molecular characterization with genome-wide mRNA and microRNA profiling via Affymetrix chip and proteomic profiling with mass spectrometry. Confirmation of molecular targets with qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence microscopy, etc. Cellular characterization of the canine models utilizing biopsy extracted muscle stem cells (myoblasts), including evaluation of the molecular and phenotypic effects of various treatments. Phenotypic characterization of the canine models using internationally established functional outcome measures developed in the Kornegay laboratory. Current research focus is on preclinical drug trials, including gene therapy (dystrophin gene replacement) via adeno-associated viral vector delivery; utilzing gene editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 and TALENs for treatments of genetic disease; characterization of genetic modifiers via whole-genome next generation sequencing (discovery approach); and evaluation of muscle metabolism in dystrophin deficiency.",Associate Professor,Veterinary Integrative Biosciences,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nc223f624
Julian,Leibowitz,Professor,We have two projects in my lab. The first project is focused on identifying evolutionarily conserved RNA secondary structures in the coronavirus RNA genome and functionally examining their role in viral replication through reverse genetic and biochemical approaches. We have previously done this for a number of RNA secondary structures contained within the 5? and 3? regions of the genome and shown that they function as cis-acting elements in replication. Studies in my laboratory have identified a structurally dynamic region of the 5'UTR that interacts with the 3'UTR to facilitate transcription.
A second project in my laboratory has been to develop a reverse genetic system for MHV-1. In collaboration with investigators in Toronto and Pennsylvania my laboratory has demonstrated that MHV-1 infection of susceptible mice provides a safe and convenient rodent model for severe coronavirus infections such as SARS and MERS. The development of a reverse genetic system will allow us to investigate the contributions of individual viral genes to the pathogenesis of the severe pulmonary disease caused by this virus.,Professor||Professor,Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology||Veterinary Pathobiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne2185aa0
Sanjukta,Chakraborty,Assistant Professor,"Tumor cell metastasis to the regional or draining lymph nodes (LN) is the primary indicator of tumor aggressiveness. Tumor cells lodged in nodes acquire significant vulnerabilities that enable them to evade therapy. In addition, expansion of the vasculature near the primary tumor bed activates multiple pathways that induce lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. The primary research focus of my laboratory is to determine how an inflammatory tumor-lymphatic microenvironment contributes to cancer metastasis and progression by reprograming molecular pathways in a) primary tumor niche and b) metastatic tumor draining LNs. We use tumor-LEC 3D spheroids, orthotopic tumor models and clinical samples to evaluate the tumor-lymphatic crosstalk in different solid tumors. In addition, we are also interested in delineating the role of the microbiota and specific tryptophan metabolites in cancer progression, tumor associated lymphangiogenesis and alterations to the metastatic node.",Assistant Professor,Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne7dd93d7
Darrell,Pilling,Research Assistant Professor,,Research Assistant Professor,Biology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne8a9ecc1
Anurag,Purushothaman,Research Assistant Professor,,Research Assistant Professor,Biomedical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/neca091da
Joseph,Rutkowski,Assistant Professor,"Current ongoing projects are mostly focused on the Lymphatic Physiology of Metabolic Systems. Herein, we are utilizing an extensive toolkit of genetic mouse models and physiologically-relevant in vitro systems to identify how changes in lymphatic biology impact metabolite transport and whole animal metabolism. Other projects use our toolkit in identifying factors driving the pathology of lymphatic diseases such as generalized lymphatic anomalies (GLA) and lymphedema. Additional collaborative efforts employ our models in renal and pulmonary health.",Assistant Professor,Medical Physiology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf1902e01
Richard,Gomer,Distinguished Professor,"Our laboratory is working on three areas of biomedicine, trying to move observations from basic research into the clinic. First, we are studying how the sizes of tissues and tumors are regulated, and how this can be manipulated for therapeutic purposes. As a model system, we are using the simple eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum, which allows us to combine techniques such as biochemistry, genetics, computer modeling, and cell biology to study tissue size regulation. We have found that a secreted protein as well as the unusual molecule polyphosphate are signals in negative feedback loops that inhibit Dictyostelium cell proliferation, and we are studying the signal transduction pathway to understand similar mechanisms in humans.
Second, we are studying how some secreted proteins can make cells move away from the source of the signal. We found such a signal (called a chemorepellent) in Dictyostelium, and then found a similar signal in humans. We are working to understand the signal transduction pathway for both. The human signal repels neutrophils, and we found that this can be used therapeutically in mouse models of neutrophil-driven diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Third, we have found that a human blood protein called Serum Amyloid P (SAP) regulates a key step in the formation of scar tissue as well as the formation of the scar-like lesions in fibrosing diseases such as congestive heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis. We are studying this mechanism, and a biotech company (Promedior, now sold to Roche) we co-founded is testing SAP as a therapy for fibrosis in patients in a Phase 3 trials.",Distinguished Professor,Biology,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf41f3898
Samiran,Sinha,Professor,"My research is focused on statistical methods for epidemiological studies which deal with
studying factors affecting the health and illness of populations, and serves as the foundat-
ion and logic of interventions made in the interest of public health and preventive medicine.
The research is geared to develop novel statistical techniques for handling measurement
error in the major variable of interest, and to handle subjects with partially missing infor-
mation. The developed statistical techniques rely on parametric, semiparametric, and nonparametric
approaches for flexible and robust modeling.",Professor,Statistics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf7f32f6f