Areas of Interest
This laboratory is investigating intracellular trafficking of
mRNA in cells of the nervous system using a combination of
molecular biological, microinjection, confocal microscopy and
three dimensional visualization techniques. We have delineated
an RNA
trafficking pathway consisting of export from the nucleus,
granule assembly
in the perikaryon,
transport of
RNA granules in the processes, localization to the distal
regions of the cell and
translational activation. We are analyzing the cis/trans
regulation of each step in this pathway and have identified a
common 21 nucleotide RNA trafficking signal (RTS) in many
different transported mRNAs that binds specifically to hnRNPA2
and is involved at various steps in the trafficking pathway.
The laboratory is also investigating expression and
intracellular trafficking of the gap junction protein,
connexin 32, in
oligodendrocytes using green fluorescent protein fusions, time
lapse confocal imaging, and three dimensional visualization.
The laboratory is also involved in developing a comprehensive
computational simulation of cellular physiology and behavior.
This project, termed the
Virtual Cell, consists of a multidisciplinary team of cell
biologists, molecular biologists, mathematicians, physicists,
computer scientists, engineers and programmers. One goal of the
project is to model the intracellular RNA trafficking pathway we
have outlined.
Lab Rotation Projects
The Carson lab is studying RNA trafficking in neural cells
using single molecule imaging, systems analysis and
computational modeling in the Virtual Cell. Rotation students in
this lab have the opportunity to learn cell culture, protein
chemistry, microinjection, confocal microscopy, fluorescence
correlation spectroscopy and computational cell biology.
Possible rotation projects in this lab:
1) characterizing dynamic molecular assemblies involved in
RNA trafficking using photo-induced biotin transfer from hnRNP
A2 to other molecular partners
2) defining conditional operators (EITHER OR, BOTH AND, ONLY
IF) controlling molecular interactions in RNA trafficking using
cross correlation FCS.
Postdoctoral Positions Available
Two postdoctoral positions are currently available in the
laboratory of John Carson.
The first position is for an individual to work on
intracellular RNA trafficking in neural cells (including nuclear
export, granule assembly, granule transport, RNA localization
and translational regulation). Experience in one or more of the
following areas would be useful: molecular cloning, cell
culture, confocal microscopy and computer visualization
techniques. Financial support is available for an initial period
but the successful candidate would be expected to seek
extramural funding.
The second position is for an individual to work on gap
junction assembly in glial cells. The project involves use of
GFP fusions to analyze expression and assembly of specific
connexin proteins in oligodendrocytes. Experience in one or more
of the following areas would be useful: molecular cloning, cell
culture, confocal microscopy and computer visualization
techniques. Financial support is available for an initial period
but the successful candidate would be expected to seek
extramural funding.
Inventions
1. RNA Transport/Translation Signal Carson, J.H., Kwon, S.,
Ainger, K and Avossa, D. (1996) Invention Disclosure No.
084-B286-96.
2. Method for Description, Simulation and Analysis of
Cellular Structure and Function. Schaff, J.C., Carson J.H., and
Loew, L. (1995) Invention No. 95-034
Selected Publications
Levin MK, Carson JH (2004) Fluorescence correlation
spectroscopy and quantitative cell biology. Differentiation.
72:1-10.
Huang YS, Carson JH, Barbarese E, Richter JD. (2003)
Facilitation of dendritic mRNA transport by CPEB. Genes Dev
17(5):638-53.
Shan, J, Munro, TP, Barbarese, E, Carson JH, Smith R. (2003)
A molecular mechanism for mRNA trafficking in neuronal
dendrites. J. Neurosci. 23: 8859-8866.
Song J, Carson JH, Barbarese E, Li FY, Duncan ID (2003)RNA
transport in oligodendrocytes from the taiep mutant rat. Mol
Cell Neurosci. 24:926-38.
Slepchenko, B., Schaff, J.C., Carson, J.H. and Loew, L.M.
(2002) Computational Cell Biology: Spatiotemporal Simulation of
Cellular Events. Ann. Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struct. 31: 423-442.
Brumwell, C., Antolik, C., Carson, J. H. and E. Barbarese
(2002) Intracellular Trafficking of HnRNP A2 in
Oligodendrocytes.Exp Cell Res. 279: 310-320.
Mouland, A.J., Xu, H., Cui, H., Krueger, W., Munro, T.P.,
Prasol, M., Mercier, J., Rekosh, D., Smith, R., Barbarese, E.,
Cohen, E.A. and Carson, J.H. (2001) RNA trafficking signals in
human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Mol. Cell. Biol. 21:
2133-2143.
Carson, J.H., Cui, H., Krueger, W., Schlepchenko, B.,
Brumwell, B. and Barbarese, E. (2001) RNA Trafficking in
Oligodendrocytes. In Cell Polarity and Subcellular Localization
ed.D. Richter. Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation
34:69-81.
Carson, J.H., Cowan, A. and Loew, L. (2001) Computational
cell biologists snowed in at Cranwell. Trends in Cell Biol.
11:236-238.
Carson, J.H., Cui, H. and Barbarese, E. (2001) The balance of
power in RNA trafficking. Curr. Opinion Neurosci. 11:558-563. |
