My work in the Piwnica-Worms lab will involve the use of high-throughput RNA interference screening for identification of novel kinase and phosphatase regulators of the Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway. Signaling through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is obligate in many colorectal cancers and is thus important to understand if this disease is to eventually be eradicated. Additionally, I will be characterizing the role that such regulators play in this signaling cascade and the potential cross-talk that may exist with others. Outside of the lab I enjoy almost any outdoor activity; however, rock climbing and mixed martial arts are the hobbies that have sustained me through the years of my education.
Education:
B.S. in Chemistry; Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Carbondale, IL
Ph.D. in Biochemistry; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cores affiliated with:
High Throughput Core
Molecular Reporter Core
James R. Johnson, Ph.D.
My research interests focus on selective delivery of molecular imaging and therapeutic agents in cellulo and in vivo. Previous to my postdoctoral position I collaborated here at the Molecular Imaging Center with Dr. Seth Gammon and Dr. Matthew Leevy developing molecular probes for detecting bacterial infections in vivo. Currently I am developing caspase activated cell penetrating peptide based biosensors for imaging apoptosis in vivo. Our goal is to utilize these probes for applications such as monitoring tumor death in chemotherapy, and detecting neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma. Additionally I am developing near infrared chemiluminescent probes for in vivo optical imaging. Outside the lab I enjoy building and restoring classic cars, playing the cello, going to concerts, and traveling.
Education:
B.S. in Biology and Chemistry; Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Ph.D. in Biochemistry; University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Education:
B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry; Madurai Kamaraj University, India
Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry; Pondicherry University, India
Post Doc in Heterocyclic Chemistry; University of Florida, USA
My interest in exploring the initial steps involved in host-pathogen interactions and invasion processes led me to studies of cell signaling induced by growth factor receptors, the ErbB or Her family, and their essential role in tumorigenesis. To begin exploring non-invasively the complex circuitry and crosstalk of signaling pathways involved between the members of Her family, I am developing a strategy of simultaneous dual-color quantification of multiple ErbB protein interactions based on a system of luciferase heteroprotein fragment complementation. To verify the biological functionality of such chimeric receptors, I validated a chimeric EGFR reporter and monitored its responsiveness to ligand and accurate processing in real time. This reporter is being used to identify modulators genes from the human kinome and phosphatome libraries. Since our discovery time is “already up” I am using the help of “SAMY the robot”, and different modalities of high content screening and automation in the High Throughput screening core. The high scientific interactivity available here at MIC allowed me to get involved in various projects. This include the development of novel red-shifted BRET pair as a protease biosensor that could be used in high throughput screening; and the application of fragment complementation to deciphering the dynamic crosstalk between NF-κB and Wnt signaling pathways.
Education:
M.S. in Biochemistry, University of Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
Ph.D in Microbiology, University of Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
