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Faculty
 John
H. Carson
Professor of Molecular, Microbial &
Structural Biology
jcarson@nso2.uchc.edu
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.
Postodoctoral 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 avilable 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
Laboratory Page
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. |
