CAREER: Application of Fluorescence-Based Tools in Research and Educational Domains - Illuminating Local Ca2+ Signals in Cells and DNA-Based Methods in Local Schools

明尼苏达大学的乔纳森·S·马钱特博士获得了职业发展补助金，以确定三磷酸肌醇受体的调节特性。三磷酸肌醇受体是一种细胞内蛋白，通过调节细胞质内的钙离子浓度来控制细胞生理中的许多事件。然而，细胞内钙的过度升高对细胞是有害的，而肌醇三磷酸受体功能的失调与许多严重的异常有关。Marchant博士的方法将涉及在模式生物热带非洲爪哇中应用基于荧光的方法来定义三磷酸肌醇受体在其自然环境中的行为。与较不生理的体外试管环境相比，这种方法将最好地洞察这些蛋白质在体内细胞内的功能。这些研究的结果将提高我们对细胞如何对过多的药物、激素和神经递质做出适当或不适当反应的理解，这些药物、激素和神经递质通过细胞内信号转导途径发挥作用。这些研究活动的更广泛影响将通过将Marchant博士实验室中常规应用的基于荧光的方法转化为教育领域来实现，作为对高中教师的外展培训计划。这一外展计划将包括教师培训“进修”课程，并由为高中设计的实用模块支持，这些模块说明了基于荧光的方法在分子、细胞和基因组研究中的应用。鉴于分子基因革命的速度，对教师进行再培训，使其有能力向学生传授新兴技术的社会影响，对教育组织和政府来说都是一个关键挑战。该项目将通过面对面的培训活动、实用资源的分发和基于因特网的远程支持的长期“公告牌”界面相结合来满足这一需求。

A CAREER development grant has been awarded to Dr. Jonathan S. Marchant of the University of Minnesota to define the regulatory properties of the inositol trisphosphate receptor. The inositol trisphosphate receptor is an intracellular protein that controls many events in cellular physiology by regulating the calcium concentration within the cytoplasm. However, excessive increases in cytoplasmic calcium are toxic to cells, and dysregulation of inositol trisphosphate receptor function is implicated in many serious abnormalities. Dr. Marchant's approach will involve the application of fluorescent-based methods in the model organism Xenopus tropicalis to define the behavior of inositol trisphosphate receptors in their native environment. Such an approach will best provide insight into how these proteins function within cells in vivo, compared to a less physiological in vitro test-tube environment. The results from these studies will improve our understanding of how cells respond - appropriately or inappropriately - to the plethora of drugs, hormones and neurotransmitters that act through this intracellular signal transduction pathway.The broader impact of these research activities will be realized by translating the fluorescence-based methods routinely applied in Dr. Marchant's laboratory into the educational domain as an outreach training program to High School teachers. This outreach program will comprise teacher training 'refresher' courses supported by practical modules designed for High School use that illustrate the application of fluorescence-based methods in molecular, cellular and genomic research. Given the pace of the molecular genetic revolution, the issue of retraining teachers with a capacity to instruct students about the societal impact of emerging technologies is a key challenge for educational organizations and government alike. This project will address this need through a combination of face-to-face training activities, distribution of practical resources and a long-term internet based 'bulletin-board' interface for remote support.