Request for Funding

Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2004

Mentor: Craig M. Powell, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Psychiatry
Room number: NC5.410
Mail Code: 9070
Phone number: 214-648-4153
E-mail: Craig.Powell@UTSouthwestern.edu
Project title: 1. Role of Norepinephrine from Locus Coeruleus in Emotional Memory Using Focal Brain Virus Injections
2. Role of Neurotrophin signaling pathways in Emotional Memory Using focal brain virus injections
3. Role of presynaptic proteins in schizophrenia-related behavior

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
0893-03-01-1
0941-02-01-1

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)

Animal-based and basic research

Brief Description of Project:
Project #1: We are using RNA interference methods to focally and specifically decrease expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase gene (required to make nor-adrenaline) in the locus coeruleus (the major nor-adrenergic nucleus of the brain). We will then examine the behavioral consequences in emotional memory tests and a variety of control behaviors. Finally, using immunohistochemistry, we will localize the region of the injection by staining for both coexpressed marker proteins (GFP) as well as staining for Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the target areas of interest (amygdala and hippocampus.

The student can tailor his/her experience toward learning behavioral techniques working with animals OR toward learning and performing immunohistochemistry techniques. It is also possible to combine the two in varying degrees.

Project #2: We are using attenuated Herpes Simplex Virus to overexpress dominant negative forms of IRS-2 in amygdala to examine the effect on emotional learning and other behaviors. Techniques would be similar to project #2 except that the student might also become familiar with the stereotactic brain surgeries to inject the viral vector.

Project #3: This is an ongoing behavioral study using knockout mice to determine whether schizophrenia-related behaviors are associated with knockout of three presynaptic proteins, two of which are already thought to be relevant for schizophrenia in preliminary studies. The techniques would be mostly behavioral.

In all of the above projects, the student would work closely with the mentor and technician in our laboratory to observe, learn, and perform the mentioned techniques. The mentor has a small lab and continues to perform many of the relevant experiments himself, making for an ideal summer student relationship.

Depending on student interest, it will also be possible for them to learn about and participate in Western blot experiments looking at the posttranslational modification (phosphorylation) of glutamate receptors in the hippocampal formation after learning a behavioral task.

It is expected that successful students could become a co-author on the resulting work for any of these projects.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

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