Research Interests:
The cell division cycle and cell mass
is under strict temporal and
spatial regulation that depends on the activity of a variety of
specific protein kinases. The specific role of these kinases in
regulating the changes in
the actin cytoskeleton during cytokinesis is an area of focus to my
research. Recently, I have developed an interest in the role of growth
and cell division kinases have in cellular
differentiation. I use to
cell systems for these studies, the dimorphic
fungi, Penicillium marneffei,
and the
mouse myogenic stem cell line,
C2C12. Changes in cell division kinase 1, mTOR (growth regulating
protein kinase) and protein phosphorylation patterns during cellular
differentiation are currently being studied, in order to understand the
role of cell cycle/ growthregulation in cellular differentiation. In
the fungi, differentiation (transdifferentiation) involves cells going
from exhibiting the cellular morphology of filaments fungi to that of
single celled yeast forms. This occurs upon shifting the temperature
from 25˚C to 37˚C). C2C12 cells are a mouse stem cell line that can be
induced to undergo differentiation, forming functional myotubes in
culture. The inductive factors are cell density and changes in serum
levels in culture media.
These studies are in addition to ongoing studies in the area of
autoimmune myopathies,
specifically rippling muscle disease associated
with myasthenia gravis. We have identified autoantigens in patients
diagnosted with rippling muscles
associated with myasthenia gravis. Autoantibodies react with titin a large muscle specific
protein associated with a variety of myopathies. Currently, we are
applying genomic and proteomic analysis to further understand the role
these antigenic epitopes have in the altered behavior of skeletal
muscle fibers, as seen with these myopathies.
Graduate Research in the
Walker Laboratory involves the Master Degree program of YSU (YSU
College of Graduate Studies) and The Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences Program
of Kent State University (BMS). Specific information concerning
working in my lab can be found here.
Undergraduate
Research
in the Walker Laboratory involves mainly students accepted in the
Proteomics Research Group.
More information on undergraduate research and a roster of
some of the past undergraduate researchers
Walker Lab