Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2008

Mentor: Craig M. Powell, MD, PhD
Department: Neurology
Room number: ND4.502A
Mail Code: 8813
Phone number: 214-645-6251
E-mail: craig.powell@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Behavioral studies in mouse models of cognitive dysfunction

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 0941-07-01-1

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

Brief Description of Project:

The student will learn to perform a variety of cognitive behavioral tasks on mice, then run either genetically altered mouse lines or pharmacologically treated mice (or both) through these behaviors. The student will analyze, graph and present the data.

We work with mouse models of autism, mental retardation, Alzheimer's disease. We also are trying to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying normal cognitive behaviors using both genetically altered mice and virus-mediated overexpression of molecules in specific brain regions.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

James Kim (Berkley undergraduate) 2004 & 2005 ' Publication in JBC'MD student at UTSW

Shukla, K., Kim, J., Blundell, J. & Powell, C.M. (2007) Learning-induced GluR1 phosphorylation in the hippocampus resembles that induced by LTP. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 282, 18100-18107.

Mehreen Kouser (1/2007-4/2007, Green Fellow UTD undergraduate)'MD/PhD applicant

Blundell, J., Kouser, M., & Powell, C.M. (2008) Systemic Inhibition of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibits Fear Memory Reconsolidation. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, in press.

Divya Balasubramanian (TAMS student) 2004' SMU undergraduate

Kendall Walters (UTSW Medical Student ' Switched to M.D./Ph.D. program 2005

Ricky Patel (TAMS student) 2005

Sai Balasubramanian (Plano High School student) 2005, 2006' 1st place in Texas State Science Fair

Eric Williams (UTSW Medical Student) 2006