Interdisciplinary Studies—The Graduate Program in Translational Biomedicine trains clinical scientists in hypothesis-oriented, patient-based, state-of-the-art research that transcends traditional academic disciplines. More...
Pharmacology
UI graduate faculty research projects in Pharmacology currently available to SROP scholars. This list does not represent all faculty interested in being mentors. Please check the Pharmacology faculty website for additional research interests.
CNS Myelination and Multiple Sclerosis
| Principal Investigator |
Minnetta V. Gardinier, Associate Professor Department(s):: Pharmacology Interdisciplinary Program(s): Molecular Biology and Neuroscience College of Medicine |
| Research Description | Our research program focuses on studies of myelin membrane proteins and gaining a better understanding of how they are properly trafficked and targeted within oligodendrocytes to effect myelination of CNS neurons. Clinical relevance: multiple sclerosis, developmental neurobiology. |
| Undergraduate Role | Opportunity to work with graduate and postdoctoral researchers in areas of cell biology, molecular biology, and/or biochemistry; you will have your own research project in collaboration with these mentors. |
| Minimum Qualifications | Completion of sophomore year in college towards a Bachelor's degree. |
| Contact Information |
(Telephone) 319-335-6735 (Email address) m-gardinier@uiowa.edu University website for Professor Minnetta V. Gardinier |
Central Nervous System Mechanisms of Pain Modulation
| Principle Investigator |
Donna L. Hammond, Professor Department(s): Anesthesiology College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Program(s): Pharmacology |
| Research Description | Drugs developed for the relief of acute pain are frequently not very effective for the relief of persistent pain arising from diseases such as diabetes, stroke, postherpetic neuralgia or nerve injury. Studies in this laboratory seek to gain a better understanding of how the brainstem and the spinal cord “remodel” during persistent pain states induced by inflammatory or nerve injury. We use a multidisciplinary approach to learn how the pharmacology and physiology of the afferent pain pathways and the central pain-regulatory pathways change after injury. Insights from these studies can aid in the development of more appropriate drug treatments for the relief of persistent pain. |
| Undergraduate Role | Students in this laboratory will be involved in the actual performance of various aspects of a single study, and work as part of a team testing a hypothesis. There is opportunity for independent thought and action. |
| Minimum Qualifications | An interest in a career in the health professions (either PhD or MD), good organizational skills, completion of basic chemistry and biology coursework, willingness to learn, and maturity. Must be comfortable with the use of laboratory animals in research, and be willing to handle mice or rats. |
| Contact Information |
319-384-7127 donna-hammond@uiowa.edu Donna Hammond |
Determining the Function of Cyclins G1 and G2 in Cell Cycle Control and Differentiation and the Consequences of their Dysregulation in Cancer Cells
| Principal Investigator |
Mary C. Horne, Assistant Professor Department(s): Pharmacology Interdisciplinary Program(s): Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biosciences Program College of Medicine |
| Assistants | Aruni Arachchige S. Don, Colleen Cowan |
| Research Description | My lab uses a combination of cell and molecular biology and protein biochemistry to study the role of cyclin G family members during cellular proliferation and differentiation in various model systems. These studies encompass several projects relevant to the fields of immunology, developmental neuroscience and cancer cell biology. Specifically we are interested in the function and mechanisms of action of cyclin G1 and G2 regulated complexes in: 1) Responses to B cell receptor signaling and tolerance induction in developing lymphocytes, 2) p53 tumor-suppressor pathway signaling, 3) Cell cycle arrest and differentiation of neurons in the developing cerebellum, 4) Cellular responses to environmental stress signals (hypoxia and oxidative stress), 5) Regulation of centrosomes and microtubules during cell division in breast and prostate cancer cells. |
| Undergraduate Role | Opportunity to work alongside graduate student and staff research assistant researchers as well as the PI in areas of biochemistry and cell and molecular biology. Summer students will have their own research project that fits with our research goals that can be carried out in a collaboration with the mentors. |
| Minimum Qualifications | Completion of sophomore year in college towards a Bachelor's degree in the sciences relevant to biomedical studies. |
| Contact Information |
(Telephone) 319-335-8267 (Email address) mary-horne@uiowa.edu University website for Professor Mary Horne |
Protein Phosphatase 2A in Brain Function
| Principle Investigator |
Stefan Strack , Associate Professor Department(s): Pharmacology Interdisciplinary Program(s): Molecular Biology and Neuroscience College of Medicine |
| Research Description | Investigate mechanisms of signal transduction in the nervous system, with regards to brain development, learning and memory. |
| Undergraduate Role | Carry out molecular biology and cell biology experiments. Opportunity to work on independent project with disease relevance. |
| Minimum Qualifications | Junior/Senior, Biology/Biochemistry or similar major. |
| Contact Information |
(Telephone) 319-384-4439 (Email address) stefan-strack@uiowa.edu University website for Professor Stefan Strack |