Education

Degree	Institution	Major
AB	Harvard College	Biochemical Sciences
PhD	Stanford University	Pharmacology

Post-Graduate Training

Training	Institution	Specialty
Visiting Graduate Student	National Institutes of Health	Laboratory of Bruce Paterson, Ph.D.
Professional Training	Marine Biological Laboratory	Summer course-Physiology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Fellowship	University of Wisconsin	Laboratory of John G. White, Ph.D., Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Awards

Name of Award/Honor	Awarding Organization
Osborn Graduate Teaching Award: first recipient, chosen by ballot	graduate students in Biomedical Sciences
Cum Laude in Field of Biomedical Sciences	Harvard College, Cambrdige, MA

Name & Description	Category	Role	Type	Scope	Start Year	End Year
Intl. C. elegans Meeting	Other	Workshop Organizer	External	International	2011
Qualifying exam committee for UCHC Cell Analysis and Modeling PhD student Akeisha Belgrave.	Advisory Committee	Committee member	UConn Health	University	2011
Gordon Research Conference on Cell-Cell Fusion	Other	Chair	External	National	2009
Gordon Research Conference on Cell-Cell Fusion	Other	Vice Chair	External	National	2007
Graduate Programs Committee	Education Committee	Full member, area of concentration director	UConn Health	Local	2006	2012
Organizing Committee, C.elegans Early Embryo Mtg.	Other	Committee member	External	National	2006
Qualifying exam committee for UCHC Cell Biology PhD student Rachael Norris.	Advisory Committee	Committee member	UConn Health	University	2006
poster competition at 15th International C. elegans Meeting	Other	Judge	External	International	2005
Graduate Programs Committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2005
Genetics and Developmental Biology area of conc.	Advisory Committee	Associate Director	UConn Health	University	2005	2006
CCAM Biophotonics faculty search committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2005	2006
UCHC Biomedical Sciences graduate admissions committee	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2004	2006
MSTP training grant site visit	Advisory Committee	faculty participant	UConn Health	University	2004
Dental Council	Advisory Committee	Memeber	UConn Health	University	2003	2006
Genetics and Developmental Biology faculty search committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2003	2004
Qualifying exam committee for UCHC Developmental Biology PhD student Stephan Goupil.	Advisory Committee	Committee member	UConn Health	University	2003
Genetics and Developmental Biology graduate program	Education Committee	Curriculum Director	UConn Health	University	2002	2005
GPC curriculum committee, UCHC	Editorial Board	Member	UConn Health	University	2002	2006
Office of Educational Assessment, coordinating implementation of the Blackboard Survey system for graduate course evaluations	Advisory Committee	Graduate faculty liaison	UConn Health	University	2002	2006
GMBB program annual retreat planning committee.	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2002
Qualifying exam committee for UCHC Developmental Biology PhD student Brianna Solod and UCHC GMBB PhD student Theresa Santiago.	Advisory Committee	Committee member	UConn Health	University	2002
Summer undergraduate research program admissions committee	Education Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2001	2003
Qualifying exam committee for UCHC Developmental Biology PhD student Dana Philipps.	Advisory Committee	Committee member	UConn Health	University	2001
American Society for Cell Biology	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	External	National
Biophysical Society	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	External	National
Biophysical Journal	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Journal of Biomedical Optics	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Genome Informatics	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Indian Academy of Sciences	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Nature Biotechnology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Nature Cell Biology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Development	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
Source Code for Biology	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
PLoSONE	Professional/Scientific Journal	Reviewer	External	National
NCRR special review panel for shared instrumentation grant applications	Advisory Committee	Grant reviewer	External	National
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center Gilman Foundation Program	Advisory Committee	Grant reviewer	External	University
ARRA-GO special review panel	Advisory Committee	Grant reviewer	External	National

We are pursuing three projects that extend from our interests in the development of tissues and the innovative application of light microscopy to biology: Developmental cell fusion, Second-harmonic generation microscopy, and Genome-wide imaging of C. elegans development. Developmental Cell Fusion Formation of multinucleate syncytia (giant cells) is essential to the development and regeneration of human skeletal muscle, and is key to fertilization and the formation of various specialized cell types in many species. Yet the mechanism by which fusing cells recognize each other and merge their membranes is poorly understood. We use genetics and microscopy in the nematode worm C. elegans to study the mechanisms by which cells fuse during this animal's development. Our recent studies of the unique cell-fusion protein EFF-1 indicate that the molecular machinery of cell fusion has been re-invented during evolution of different cell types and divergent organisms. We are also investigating the mechanism of mammalian myoblast fusion, combining experimental tools developed specifically for that system with our experience from the study of C. elegans syncytia. Second-harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging We recently discovered that thick myosin filaments in the actomyosin lattice of striated muscle cells produce second-harmonic generation. This non-linear optical effect produces bright contrast from the endogenous unlabeled proteins themselves. The second harmonic light can be imaged at high three-dimensional spatial resolution on a microscope, yielding a digital profile of the arrangement and internal structure of muscle fibers in live tissue. We are applying SHG microscopy to the study of degenerative muscle diseases and aging, as well as the process of myofibrillogenesis in the differentiation of muscle cells. Genome-wide Imaging of C. Elegans Development We are working to develop a database of genome and proteome activity in the developing nematode C. elegans. This tiny yet complex animal is remarkable both for its transparency and the cell-by-cell invariance its developmental program. We plan to use two distinct fluorescence imaging technologies to record the dynamics of expression and localization of GFP-tagged gene products within live worms and embryos. The standardized digital data produced by these instruments will then be correlated to find genes and proteins that work coordinately in the formation of specific cell types and tissues.

Not accepting students for Lab Rotationsat this time.

Journal Articles

Book Chapters

Conference Papers

Dissertations

Short Surveys

Websites

Title or Abstract	Type	Sponsor/Event	Date/Year	Location
Dynamics at an EFF-1-dependent Fusion Synapse	Talk	Gordon Research Conference on Cell-Cell Fusion	2011	Biddeford, ME
The GLOWorm repository & GLOWormJ: a system for distribution and analysis of multidimensional embryological images.	Talk	International C. elegans Meeting	2011	Los Angeles, CA
Realizing the potential of image data from C. elegans.	Talk	Boston Area Worm Meeting	2010	Cambridge, MA.
Toward a GLOWorm database/software/interface.	Talk	New York Area Worm Meeting	2010	New York, NY
Chair’s introduction, and discussion leader introduction to cell fusion in epithelia.	Talk	Gordon Research Conference on Cell-Cell Fusion	2009	New London, NH
Appreciating massive datasets from tiny specimens; focus on cell tracking in confocal recordings.	Talk	Yale Advanced Microscopy Workshop	2009	New Haven, CT
Chair’s introduction, and discussion leader introduction to cell fusion in epithelia.	Panel Discussion	Gordon Research Conference on Cell-Cell Fusion	2009	New London, NH
The challenges and benefits of high-resolution imaging of intact specimens.	Talk	E. E. Just Symposium	2008	Howard University, Washington, DC.
Wisdom from worms about fusing cell, fusing photons, y farmacologia.	Talk	Centro de Investigación del Cancer	2008	Universidad de Salamanca, Spain
Application of TCNP technologies to understand polarity in cell-cell fusion.	Talk	Technology Centers for Networks and Pathways, All-Hands Meeting	2008	Bethesda, MD
Dynamic regulation and localization of EFF-1 in fusing cells of C. elegans.	Talk	Gordon Research Conference on Cell-Cell Fusion	2007	New London, NH
Multiple examples of multidimensional imaging.	Talk	Connecticut Microscopy Society	2007	Yale University, New Haven, CT
Diagnostic quantification of muscle contractile structure by second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging.	Talk	Advanced Optical Methods Workshop	2007	Berkeley, CA.
Making giant cells: Somatic cell fusion in C. elegans development.	Talk	UMDNJ	2006	Piscataway, New Jersey
Applying second-harmonic generation imaging to the study of neuromuscular disease and aging.	Talk	Mayo Alzheimer’s Disease/Parkinson’s Disease Seminar Series	2006	Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
Regulation and trafficking of of EFF-1 in cell fusion.	Talk	C. elegans topic meeting	2006	Madison, WI
Developmental cell fusion: dynamic regulation of the prototype fusogen, EFF-1.	Talk	Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology	2005	UMass, Amherst, Massachusetts
Developmental cell fusion: lessons from the "prototype" fusogen, EFF-1.	Talk	Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology	2005	Hyderabad, India
Quantifying sarcopenic changes in aging muscle by second-harmonic generation imaging.	Talk	Ellison Medical Foundation Colloquium on the Biology of Aging	2005	Woods Hole, MA.
Nonlinear optics and multidimensional imaging of developing tissues.	Talk	Society for Developmental Biology	2005	San Francisco, CA
GLOWorm peep-show: a preliminary collection of interactive movies of embryonic gene-expression.	Poster	Fifteenth International C. elegans Meeting	2005	Los Angeles, CA
Keynote lecture presented: Second-harmonic generation imaging of endogenous tissue structures.	Talk	Frontiers in Biomechanics (US Natl. Cmte. on Biomechanics),	2005	Vail, Colorado
Appreciating massive datasets from tiny specimens.	Talk	Zeiss-CCMB Microscopy Workshop	2005	Hyderabad, India
Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy in live cells and tissues.	Talk	Zeiss-CCMB Microscopy Workshop	2005	Hyderabad, India
Function of EFF-1 in C. elegans cell fusion.	Poster	American Society for Cell Biology	2004	Washington, DC.
Genome-wide imaging of C. elegans embryogenesis.	Talk	ORFeome meeting	2004	Boston, MA
A single-protein fusogen in the somatic cells of C. elegans.	Poster	Northeast Society for Developmental Biology	2004	Woods Hole, MA
Lessons from a worm about fusing cells and fusing photons.	Talk	Center for Regenerative Biology	2003	UConn, Storrs, Connecticut
Function of EFF-1 in C. elegans cell fusion.	Poster	American Society for Cell Biology	2003	San Francisco, CA
Genome-wide imaging of C. elegans development.	Talk	ORFeome meeting	2003	Boston, MA
Analyzing GFP expression patterns throughout C. elegans development.	Talk	Current Topics in Gene Expression and Proteomics, 6th meeting	2003	San Diego
Imaging strategies and data types for genome-wide comparison and pattern-matching of GFP expression patterns: GLO-Worm.	Talk	Fourteenth International C. elegans Meeting	2003	Los Angeles
Second harmonic imaging of endogenous protein structures.	Talk	Symposium on Biological Imaging	2003	Madison, WI
Mechanism of developmental cell fusion in C. elegans.	Talk	Dept. of Biology, CUNY Queens College	2002	New York
Lessons from a worm about fusing cells and fusing photons.	Talk	Marine Biological Laboratory	2002	Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Characterizing EFF-1 function in C. elegans cell fusion.	Poster	American Society for Cell Biology	2002	San Francisco
Second harmonic generation imaging of muscle contractile apparatus in live tissue.	Poster	American Society for Cell Biology	2002	San Francisco
Post-embryonic Developmental Expression Chronograms: a new functional genomics data type generated using a nematode fluorescence sorting system.	Talk	East Coast Worm Meeting	2002	Durham, NH
Multidimensional imaging of C. elegans development.	Talk	ORFeome meeting	2002	Boston
C. elegans development.	Talk	Microscopy and Microanalysis 2001	2001	Long Beach, CA
Appreciating massive data sets from tiny specimens.	Talk	Microscopy and Microanalysis 2001	2001	Long Beach, CA
eff-1 is required for cell fusion in epithelial syncytia.	Talk	Thirteenth International C. elegans Meeting	2001	Los Angeles
New methods for imaging endogenous protein structures in live cells and tissues: high-resolution second-harmonic and dual-mode non-linear microscopy.	Talk	Thirteenth International C. elegans Meeting	2001	Los Angeles
Cellular and molecular mechanism of cell fusion in C. elegans.	Talk	Department of Cell Biology, Yale University Medical School	2000	New Haven, Connecticut
C. elegans embryogenesis viewed by multiphoton microscopy and 4D/5D computer animation..	Talk	Gordon Research Conference: Developmental Physiology	2000	Plymouth, NH
A C. elegans. Mutation Blocking Epidermal Cell Fusions.	Poster	American Society for Cell Biology	1999	Washington, D.C.
Microscopy and Cell Biology.	Talk	Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory C. elegans course	1999	Cold Spring Harbor
Visual reality: magnifying the microscopist's perception.	Talk	Imaging Across Scientific Boundaries, Dartmouth College Symp	1999	Hanover, NH
Hypodermal cell fusions are not required for gross morphogenesis in C. elegans.	Poster	Twelfth International C. elegans Meeting	1999	Madison, Wisconsin
Mechanisms of Membrane Fusion and Resealing.	Talk	American Society for Cell Biology	1998	San Francisco
Multiphoton Fluorescence Microscopy for Dynamic Observation of Cell Fusion In C. elegans Embryos.	Talk	Biophysical Society, 42nd Annual Meeting	1998	Kansas City, Missouri
4D Timelapse Imaging of Embryonic Lineage and Morphogenesis using a Vital Membrane Dye and Multiple-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy.	Talk	Eleventh International C. elegans Meeting	1997	Madison, Wisconsin