Post-Doctoral Fellow: Ann Davidson
Faculty Mentor: Cathy Krull
Home Department:  Cell and Developmental Biology
Research Project Title: Addressing CNS integration of ES-derived neurons using Eph/ephrins
Research Project Description: As therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury and stroke are currently lacking, the experiments in this project are designed to preferentially target mESCs/hESCs to regions of the normal and lesioned CNS. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their membrane-associated ligands play multiple roles during development, including in axon patterning and cell migration. We are using the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system to mediate stable integration and reliable long-term expression of Eph family members in mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The specific aims of this project are 1) test whether EphA4 overexpression in mESCs alters neuronal differentiation and/or behavior; 2) determine whether EphA4+ ESCs preferentially integrate into ephrin-expressing territories in the developing chick spinal cord; and 3) engineer hESC lines to express Eph family members, for use as therapeutic strategies in rodent models of stroke.

Presentations:

• Davidson, A.E., Gratsch, T.E., O'Shea, K.S., and Krull, C.E. “Establishing ES-derived neurons for targeted integration into the CNS using Eph/ephrins”, Poster Presentation (2007) 7th International Symposium on Organogenesis. Ann Arbor, MI.
  
• Davidson, A.E., Addressing CNS integration of ES-derived neurons using Eph/ephrins. Oral Presentation (2007) CDB Fall Retreat. W. K. Kellog Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI.
  
• Davidson, A. E., Gratsch, T.E., O'Shea, K. S., and Krull, C. E. Establishing embryonic stem cells that express EphA4 using Sleeping Beauty. Poster Presentation (2007) Midwest Developmental Biology Meeting, Chicago, IL.
  

Post-Doctoral Fellow: Fei Liu
Faculty Mentor: Jun-Lin Guan
Home Department:  Medical School
Research Project Title: Role of FIP200 in Bone
Research Project Description:   Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) are the sole members of the FAK family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases. Recent studies indicate that both FAK and PYK2 play important role(s) in bone metabolism. FIP200 (FAK-family Interacting Protein of 200 kDa) binds directly to the kinase domain of both FAK and PYK2 and inhibits their kinase activity. Despite the progress suggesting important functions of FAK and PYK2 in skeletal development and functions, whether FIP200 is directly involved in bone metabolism is unknown and the role of specific signaling pathways regulated by FAK and FIP200 has not been examined in the context of skeletal development. In this project, I will 1.) Analyze the FAK/FIP200 signaling pathways in the regulation of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. 2.) Determine the role of FIP200 in skeletal development and function by analyzing the homozygous total FIP200 knockout (KO) mouse embryos and by crossing FIP200/loxP mice with osteoblast targeting Cre mice to generate FIP200 conditional knockout mice and analyzing the effects of FIP200 osteoblasts specific knockout on the development and function of the bone.

Publications:

• Fei Liu, Sean Kohlmeier and Cun-Yu Wang, "Wnt Signaling and Skeletal Development" Cellular Signaling, in press 2007.
  

Post-Doctoral Fellow: Kyle M. Sousa
Faculty Mentor: Ormond MacDougald
Home Department:  Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Research Project Title: MicroRNA and Wnt-mediated mechanisms of mesenchymal progenitor development
Research Project Description: The prevalence of clinical disorders associated with obesity underscores the necessity for understanding the mechanisms associated with adipogenesis and osteoblastogenesis, given the two processes reciprocal relationship. The aims of this project are to understand the molecular mechanisms of Wnt and microRNA function, two regulators of these processes, in developing mesenchymal progenitors.

Presentations:

• Sousa, K.M.,Prestwich, T., Gerin, I., Wright, W., and MacDougald, O.A. 2008 Regulation of preadipocyte recruitment and adipocyte growth by sFRP5. Keystone Conference on Molecular Control of Adipogenesis and Obesity, Banff, Canada.
  
• Clark, A.M.,Sousa, K.M.,MacDougald, O.A., and Kennedy, R.T. 2008. Detection of free fatty acids and glycerol secreted from adipocytes using fluorescence-based enzyme assays on a microfluidic platform. Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (PittCon 2008). New Orleans, LA.
  
• Sousa, K.M.,Castelo-Branco, G., Hofstra, W., Brya, V., and Arenas, E. 2005. Purification of Wnt-2 and its effects on developing dopaminergic neurons. EurostemCell Summer School, Hydra, Greece.
  
• Arenas, E., Castelo-Branco, G., Parish, C.L.,Sousa, K.M.,Hall, A.C., Bryja, V., Schulte, G., Rawal, N., Sousa K.M., and Salto, C. 2005. Regulation of midbrain dopaminergic neurogenesis by Wnts. 15th International Society of Developmental Biologists Congress, Sydney, Australia.
  
• Sousa, K.M.,Mira, H., Hall A.C., Jansson-Sjöstrand, L., and Arenas, E. 2004. Gene expression profiles support a role for Nurr1 in promoting cell survival and neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells. 34th Annual Society for Neuroscience Conference, San Diego, California, USA.
  
• Sousa, K.M. 2004. Characterization of the transcriptional profile of a Nurr1-transfected neural stem cell line. European Commission program on the development of human dopaminergic neuronal cell lines for transplantation (DANCE), Munich, Germany.
  
• Shariatmadari, M., Peyronnet, J., Papachristou, P., Schulte, G., Sousa, K.M.,Arenas, E., and Ringstedt, T. 2004. Overexpression of Wnt7a in transgenic mouse neural stem cells increases VANGL2 expression and impairs neurulation by disturbing actin microfilament formation. European Society for Pediatric Research, Stockholm, Sweden.
  
• Rawal, N., Castelo-Branco, G., Sousa, K.M., and Arenas, E. 2003. Wnt signalling in the development of ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Keystone Conference, Keystone, Colorado. USA.
  
• Sousa, K.M. Castelo-Branco, G., Wagner, J., Rodriguez, X., Kele, J., Rawal, N., and Arenas, E. 2003. The role of Wnts in the development of ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons. International Society for Stem Cell Research, Washington, D.C, USA.
  

Publications:

• Bennett, C.N., Ouyang, H., Ma, Y.L., Zeng, Q., Gerin, I., Sousa, K.M., Lane, T.F.,Krishnan, V., Hankenson, K.D., and MacDougald, O.A., 2007. Wnt10b increases postnatal bone formation by enhancing osteoblast differentiation. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 22(12):1924-32.
  
• Sousa, K.M.,Mira, H., Hall, A.H., Jansson-Sjöstrand, L., and Arenas, E 2007. Microarray analyses support a role for Nurr1 in promoting neuronal differentiation and resistance to oxidative stress. Stem Cells. 25(2):511-9.
  
• Shemer, I., Holmgren, C., Min, R., Fulöp, F., Zilberter, M.,Sousa, K.M., Farkas, T., Härtig, W., Penke, B., Burnashev, N., Tanila, H., Zilberter, Y., and Harkany, T. 2006. Non-fibrillar b-amyloid abates spike-timing-dependent synaptic potentiation at excitatory synapses in layer 2/3 of the neocortex by targeting postsynaptic AMPA receptors. Eur. J. Neurosci. 23: 2035-47.
  
• Rawal, N., Castelo-Branco, G., Sousa, K.M.,Kele, J., Kobayashi, K., Okano, H., and Arenas, E. 2006. Spatial and temporal expression dynamics of Wnt signaling components in the developing midbrain. Exp. Cel. Res. 312: 1626-36.
  
• Berghuis, P., Dobszay, M.B., Wang, X., Spano, S., Ledda, F., Sousa, K.M.,Schulte, G., Ernfors, P., Mackie, K., Paratcha, G., Hurd, Y., and Harkany T. 2006. Endocannabinoids regulate interneuron migration and morphogenesis by transactivating the TrkB receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 22: 19115-20.
  
• Castelo-Branco, G., Sousa, K.M., Bryja, V., Pinto, L., Wagner, J., and Arenas, E. 2006. Ventral midbrain glia express region-specific transcription factors and regulate dopaminergic neurogenesis through Wnt-5a secretion. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 31: 251-62.
  
• Shariatmadari, M., Peyronnet, J., Papachristou, P., Horn, Z., Sousa, K.M., Arenas, E., and Ringstedt, T. 2005. Elevated Wnt levels in the neural tube impairs the function of adherens junctions during neurulation. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 30: 437-51.
  
• Schulte, G., Bryja, V., Rawal N., Castelo-Branco, G., Sousa, K.M., and Arenas E. 2005. Purified Wnt-5a increases differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic cells and dishevelled phosphorylation. J. Neurochem. 92: 1550-3.
  
• Berghuis, P., Dobszay, M.B.,Sousa, K.M., Schulte, G., Mager, P.P., Härtig, W., Görcs, T.J., Zilberter, Y., Ernfors, P., and Harkany, T. 2004. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor controls functional differentiation and microcircuit formation of selectively fast-spiking interneurons. Eur. J. Neurosci. 20: 1290-306.
  
• Harkany, T., Holmgren, C., Härtig W, Qureshi, T., Chaudhry F.A., Storm-Mathisen, J., Dobszay, M.B., Berghuis, P., Schulte, G.,Sousa, K.M., Fremeau Jr., R.T., Edwards, R.H., Mackie, K., Ernfors, P., and Zilberter Y. 2004. Endocannabinoid-independent retrograde signaling at inhibitory synapses in layer 2/3 of neocortex: involvement of vesicular glutamatetransporter 3. J Neurosci. 24: 4978-4988.
  
• Castelo-Branco, G., Wagner, J., Rodriguez, F.J., Kele, J.,Sousa, K., Rawal, N., Amalia Pasolli, H., Fuchs, E., Kitajewski, J., and Arenas, E. 2003. Differential regulation of midbrain dopaminergic neuron development by Wnt-1, Wnt-3a and Wnt-5a. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 22: 12747–12752.
  
• Akerud, P., Holm, P.C., Castelo-Branco, G., Sousa, K., Rodriguez, F.J., and Arenas , E. 2002. Persephin-overexpressing neural stem cells regulate the function of nigral dopaminergic neurons and prevent their degeneration in a model of Parkinson's disease. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 21:205-222.
  
• Brown, C.E., Howe, L.H.,Sousa, K., Alley, S.C., Tan, S., and Workman, J.L. 2001. The ATM-related factor Tra1p is an essential direct target of transcription activators in the SAGA and Nua4 complexes. Science. 292: 2333-2337.
  

Post-Doctoral Fellow: Elizabeth VanTubergen
Faculty Mentor: Nisha D'Silva
Home Department:  Oral Health Sciences Ph.D. Program, School of Dentistry
Research Project Title: mRNA stability in head and neck cancer progression
Research Project Description: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the ten most common cancers globally, and affects ~500,000 individuals. In the US alone, oral cancer accounts for more deaths annually than cervical cancer, melanoma, or Hodgkins' lymphoma and costs ~ 2 billion dollars. The 5-year survival rate is less than 50%, a prognosis that is poorer than breast cancer or melanoma. HNSCC exhibits an intense inflammatory infiltrate with high expression of several inflammatory cytokines including IL6, G-MSCF, TNF-α, COX-2 and IL-8. These cytokines contribute to the aggressive phenotype of HNSCC. Proteins such as tristetraprolin (TTP) control cytokine expression by altering mRNA stability. TTP promotes mRNA degradation by binding to the cytokine mRNA transcript. Therefore, it is possible that downregulation of TTP promotes HNSCC invasion by upregulating cytokine expression. The goal of the present study is to investigate TTP expression and role in tumor progression in HNSCC using cell lines and human tissue. Immunoblot analysis of HNSCC cell lines will evaluate TTP expression and phosphorylation levels. Additionally we will evaluate for inflammatory cytokine expression after TTP is both overexpressed via stable lentiviral vectors and underexpressed via siRNA to determine how TTP levels alter tumor progression in both invivo mouse models and in vitro cancer progression assays. HNSCC tissue microarray will be evaluated for TTP expression levels and IL6 levels to see if there is a role for TTP in tumor progression in HNSCC.
Publications:

• Patil CS, Liu M, Zhao W, Coatney DD, Li F, Vantubergen EA, D'Silva NJ, Kirkwood KL. Targeting mRNA Stability Arrests Inflammatory Bone Loss. Mol Ther. 2008 Aug 5.
• Thornberg MJ, Bayirli B, Van Tubergen E, Riolo CS, Riolo ML and Kulbersh R. Periodontal Pathogen Levels in an Adolescent Population Before, During, and After Fixed Orthodontic Appliance Therapy AJODO-D-05-00556R1.
• American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. Editor for Michael L. Riolo and James K. Avery. Essentials for Orthodontic Practice. 2002 Essential Press 1st. University Press Ann Arbor, MI.
• American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics 2nd Edition. Editor for Michael L. Riolo and James K. Avery. Essentials for Orthodontic Practice. 2006 Essential Press 2nd. University Press Ann Arbor, MI.
• American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics 2nd Edition. "Glossary" for Michael L. Riolo and James K. Avery. Essentials for Orthodontic Practice. 2002 Essential Press 1st. University Press Ann Arbor, MI.

Post-Doctoral Fellow: Luis G Villa
Faculty Mentor: Paul Krebsbach
Home Department:  Biologic and Material Science Department
Research Project Title: Study of interconnection between substrates and human embryonic stem cells
Research Project Description:  Cells interact with their microenvironment and respond to it. This project has the objective to research on cell membrane receptors that mediate the interconnection between natural and synthetic substrates and human embryonic stem cells. The understanding of substrate/cell connection may help us to control proliferation and differentiation, among other cell functions. Likewise, it will help us to elucidate molecular pathways involved in these biological functions.

Presentations:

• Characterization of integrin expression in undifferentiated hESCs. Luis G. Villa-Diaz, Naiara C. Nogueira-de-Souza, Himabindu Nandivada, Jörg Lahann, K. Sue O'Shea, Gary D. Smith, Paul Krebsbach. International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Meeting 2008.
  

Ph.D. Program

Student Name: W. Keith Dobracki
Faculty Mentor Rotation 1: Nisha D'Silva
Faculty Mentor Rotation 2: Will Giannobile
Faculty Mentor Rotation 3: Peter X Ma
Home Department:  Oral Health Sciences Ph.D. Program, School of Dentistry. D.D.S. UM School of Dentistry
Research Project Title: Exploring the effects of nano matricies on stem cell differentiation.
Research Project Description:  Mesynchemal stem cell populations in 3D matrix distributions of varying nano-pore sizes will lead to differentiation into either osteoblasts or chondroblasts depending on the specific matrix pore size created. With a detailed effort to explore the produced osteoblast cells and a more in depth analysis of composite nano-structures, surface modification structures, and sphere delivery molecules.
Presentations:

• Research Day 2005, 2006.
• Peters, Gu, Dobracki, Bresciani, Barata, Fagundes, Navarro, Rutheford, Dickens, Fenno. "Bioactive Base Cement: In-Vivo Effect of Etching on Bacterial Survival." 2006 AADR. Orlando, Florida
• Bresciani, Dobracki, Wagner, Rutheford, Dickens, Peters. "Bioactive Base Cement: In-Vivo effect on hardness in caries-affected dentin." 2006 AADR. Orlando, Florida
• Peters, Lacin, Dobracki, Gu, Bresciani, Imazato, Fenno. "Optimization of Nucleic Acid Extraction from Carious Dentin." 2006 AADR. Orlando, Florida
• Terezinha, Vieira, Ticiane, Bresciani, Navarro, Peters. "Six-Month Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Treatment by Subtraction Radiography." 2006 AADR. Orlando, Florida

Student Name: Erin Gatenby
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Kohn
Home Department: Biomedical Engineering
Research Project Title: Investigating the importance and control of collagen cross-linking in the formation, mechanical properties, and mechanical adaptation of bone
Research Project Description: Collagen cross-links are covalent ties which join collagen chains both inter- and intra-molecularly in connective and mineralized tissues. The profile (types and quantities) of cross-links is not collagen type specific but tissue specific, implying a role of cross-linking in functional adaptation; both bone and dentin display high fractions of immature cross-links compared to non-mineralizing collagen tissues. Alterations in bone collagen cross-linking profile are commonly observed in bone disease. Importantly, decreased bone collagen cross-linking is associated with a loss of tissue mechanical strength, and extracellular matrix lacking collagen cross-linking affects subsequent osteoblastic differentiation at the early stages. The effect of reduced cross-linking on late stages of differentiation and mineralization, as well as a thorough characterization of both the collagen and mineral phases, have not been reported. Though evidence exists that physical exercise affects the number of cross-links formed in young bone, the control of cross-linking during bone formation, their possible role in bone's adaptation to mechanical loading, and the effects of loading on cross-link formation are not well understood. This study aims to answer these questions using both in vitro and in vivo approaches, thus determining the importance and control of collagen cross-linking in the formation, mechanical properties, and mechanical adaptation of bone.
Presentations:

• Gatenby E.M., EC Lee, DH Kohn. Effect Of In-Vivo Mechanical Loading On Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Function In-Vitro Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting. Baltimore, MD. September, 2005.
  

Student Name: Stephanie Linn
Faculty Mentor: Kate F. Barald, Ph.D.
Home Department: I am in the Cellular & Molecular Biology Program (CMB), but the lab is in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology (CDB) in the Medical School.
Research Project Title:   The Role of the Cytokine MCP-1 in Zebrafish Inner Ear Neuronal Development and Regeneration
Research Project Description: Neuron loss is a significant contributing factor affecting loss of hearing, particularly in mammals, and is notable in the aging human population. At this time, there is no treatment for hearing loss based on neural regeneration in mammals, and the success of cochlear implants, the only form of treatment for many forms of hearing loss, is dependent upon the number of spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) remaining at the time of implantation. The early stage inner ear produces a quartet of cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (Mcp-1), which is known to play a role as an important neurotrophic factor in the development and survival of bird and mammalian auditory system neurons (Bianchi et al., 2005). The hypothesis being tested is that this cytokine could enhance neuronal regeneration, and directional axonal re-growth in the adult and/or damaged inner. The development of the zebrafish auditory system recapitulates many aspects of mammalian inner ear development and neurogenesis, but it occurs at an accelerated rate and ex utero. Both sensory hair cells (HC) and neurons are capable of regenerating in the fish and bird auditory systems, in contrast to those of mammals. Therefore, we are investigating the role of Mcp-1 in neural tissue [statoacoustic ganglion (SAG)] regeneration in late larval zebrafish. We are also testing the role of mcp-1 in adult zebrafish SAG neuronal regeneration in vivo and in vitro. In the mouse, adult SGN express the receptor for MCP-1, CCR2, while production of MCP-1 appears to decline as the inner ear ages. We hypothesize that by restoring MCP-1 either alone or in combination with macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), another cytokine found in otocyst-derived factor (ODF), an embryonic growth factor on which innervation of the ear depends, it will be possible to restore hearing function.
Presentations:

• Poster at the 8th International Meeting on Zebrafish Development & Genetics
  

Student Name: Chad Novince
Faculty Mentor: Laurie McCauley
Home Department:   Oral Health Sciences Ph.D. Program, School of Dentistry
Research Project Title:   Parathyroid hormone's anabolic action on bone marrow stromal cell proliferation
Research Project Description: Research Project Description: Prior research in the McCauley lab demonstrated that ectopically implanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), under the influence of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration, exhibit the greatest rate of increase in proliferation 7-14 days post initiation of PTH administration. In order to more closely identify the critical timeframe for PTH action, I examined daily time points versus previously studied weekly time points. Luciferase positive cells were harvested from luciferase mice, expanded in culture, seeded to Gelfoam sponges, and ectopically implanted into athymic nude mice. Daily PTH (1-34) administration was initiated one week post implantation, and luciferase imaging was carried out daily. The innovative ectopic BMSC implant model and luciferase imaging technology provide a unique model to analyze PTH's influence on in vivo BMSC proliferation. Determining the time it takes BMSCs, under the influence of PTH, to reach their peak rate of increase in proliferation will clinically facilitate better therapeutic strategies that optimize patients' response to PTH. The athymic nude mice were sacrificed at the last day of imaging in order to harvest the ectopic BMSC implants and serum. Histomorphometry was utilized to analyze implant bone per area, real time PCR was used to investigate implant PTH receptor and jagged1 gene expression, and serum TRAP 5b assay was carried out to examine osteoclast activity.

Student Name: Stephanie Nunez
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yvonne Kapila
Home Department:  Oral Health Sciences
Research Project Title Rotation 1:  Interaction of Fibronectin with Fas Receptor
Research Project Description:   We wanted to show that intact FN binds to the Fas receptor and that binding of intact protein prevents anoikis induced through the Fas pathway. Preliminary results indicated that intact FN matrix associated with the Fas receptor while altered matrix showed little or no association. We then cultured SCC cells in the presence of serum in 10cm plates coated with 10mg/mL of polyhema in 95% ethanol to induce suspension cultures and we used uncoated plates as control. From the polyhema coated plates we separated cells into the aggregate group and the suspension cells after 3-4 hours. We immunoprecipitated (IP) FN and blotted for Fas and were able to observe some interaction. To eliminate the possibility of FN association from serum, we repeated the experiment in the absence of serum and still observed some interaction. Finally, we incubated SCC cells in serum as a control. The experimental cultures contained no serum and either no FN, 10, 20, or 50 ug FN. Each experimental group was incubated in three sets for 6, 12, and 24 hours for a total of 15 cell culture plates. Once the cells were harvested and lysed, an IP with Fas was then blotted for FN. Interaction was observed in the 50ug FN culture for 6 hours and the 20ug and 50ug FN culture for 24 hours. Based on the date we were able to conclude show the presence of FN associated Fas. If we can confirm a direct association between FN and Fas, it would be the first report of such findings. Future directions will involve determining which structural domain of FN binds to Fas.
Publications:

• Nunez S , Lee JS, Zhang Y, Bai G, Ro JY. Role of peripheral mu-opioid receptors in inflammatory orofacial muscle pain. Neuroscience. 2007 May 25;146(3):1346-54. Epub 2007 Mar 26. PMID: 17379421
  
• Sahu SN, Nunez S , Bai G, Gupta A.INTERACTION OF PYK2 AND PTP-PEST WITH LEUPAXIN IN PROSTATE CANCER CELLS. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2007 Feb 28; PMID: 17329398
  
• Sahu SN, Khadeer MA, Robertson BW, Nunez SM , Bai G, Gupta A. Association of leupaxin with Src in osteoclasts. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2007 Jan;292(1):C581-90. Epub 2006 Aug 16. PMID: 16914530
  

Student Name: Laura Povlich
Faculty Mentors: David Martin and Jinsang Kim
Home Department: Macromolecular Science and Engineering
Research Project Title:   Functionalized and Bio-inspired Conjugated Polymers for Neural Prosthetic Device Interfaces
Research Project Description: I work on the synthesis and characterization of conducting polymers that can be used to interface electronic systems with biological tissue. I have made peptide-functionalized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophenes) that can direct cell behavior and also thiol-functionalized derivatives that can be used to improve the adhesion of these polymers to platinum and gold electrodes. In addition, I am working on developing synthetic melanin polymers that are semi-conducting and could provide a more natural interface between electrodes and tissues.
Presentations:

• Laura K. Povlich, Jae Cheol Cho, Sarah Spanninga, Jinsang Kim and David C. Martin. "Bio-synthetic Conjugated Polymers for Nerve-Prosthetic Interfaces" 1st Nagoya University-University of Michigan Joint Symposium on Supramacromolecular Material Science and Engineering in the 21st Century, Nagoya, Japan. (March, 2008).
  
• Laura K. Povlich, Jae Cheol Cho, Sarah Spanninga, David C. Martin, and Jinsang Kim. "Carboxylic Acid-modified EDOT for Bio-functionalization of Neural Probe Electrodes" Polymer Preprints – American Chemical Society National Meeting (March, 2007), 48(1), 7.
  
• Laura K. Povlich, Jae Cheol Cho, Jinsang Kim, and David C. Martin. "Functionalized Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) for Bio-electrode Coatings, Materials Research Society Conference (April, 2007).
  
• Kangwon Lee, Jean-Marie Rouillard, Laura K. Povlich, Erdogan Gulari, and Jinsang Kim. "Functional conjugated polymers for biosensors and sensor arrays" Materials Research Society National Conference (Nov. 2007).
  
• Antonio Peramo, Melanie C. Urbanchek, Sarah A. Spanninga, Laura K. Povlich, Paul S. Cederna and David C. Martin. "Chemical polymerization of the conductive polymer PEDOT in acellularized muscle tissues". Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting (Sept. 2007)
  
• Kangwon Lee, Ching-Chin Pun, Laura K. Povlich, and Jinsang Kim. "Fast lebel-free DNA detection using self-signal amplifying fluorescent polymer bioconjugates" American Chemical Society National Meeting (Sep. 2006).
  
• Sarah M. Richardson-Burns, Jeffrey L. Hendricks, Laura K. Povlich, Junyan Yang, Mohammed R. Abidian, Donghwan Kim and David C. Martin. "Interactions Between Central Nervous System-derived Cells And The Conductive Polymer (poly)3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)." Annual Society for Biomaterials Conference. (April 2005).
  

Publications:

• Antonio Peramo, Melanie Urbanchek, Sarah Spanninga, Laura K. Povlich, Paul Cederna and David C. Martin. "In situ Polymerization of a Conductive Polymer in Acellular Muscle Tissue Constructs" Tissue Engineering Part A (2008) 14 (3), 423.
  
• Kangwon Lee, Laura K. Povlich, and Jinsang Kim. "Label-free and Self-signal Amplifying Molecular DNA Sensors Based on Bioconjugated Polyelectrolytes" Advanced Functional Materials. (2007) 17, 2580.
  
• Sarah M. Richardson-Burns, Jeffrey L. Hendricks, Brian Foster, Laura K. Povlich, Donghwan Kim and David C. Martin. "Polymerization of the Conducting Polymer Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) around living neural cells" Biomaterials (2007) 28, 1539.
  
• Donghwan Kim, Sarah Richardson-Burns, Laura Povlich, Mohammed Reza Abidian, Sarah Spanninga, Jeffrey L. Hendricks and David C. Martin. "Soft, Fuzzy, and Bioactive Conducting Polymer Coatings for Neural Prosthetic Devices", Invited Review Chapter, scheduled to appear in Frontiers in Neuroengineering Series, William M. Reichert, Editor, (2007).
  

Student Name: Christina Springstead Scanlon
Faculty Mentor: Yvonne Kapila
Home Department:   Periodontics and Oral Medicine
Research Project Description:   I am investigating cell signaling mechanisms of oral cancer. I am currently completing my third research rotation and will chose a lab by fall 2009.
Presentations:

• Journal Clubs 2007, 2008
  
• Scanlon, C., Gerstner, G., Clauw, D., Graceley, R. "Neuroendocrine Response to Pain Suggests Differing Etiology of Temporomandibular Disorder and Other Chronic Pain Disorders." University of Michigan Research Day. Ann Arbor, MI. February 2007.
• NIDCR DDS/PhD Dual Degree Training Workshop. Bethesda, MD. September 2008.
• Michigan Clinical Research Symposium. Ann Arbor, MI. September 2008.