Graduate Training Program in Basic Research Employing Biotechnology
Abstract
This report summarizes the research activities of the three students. Stephanie S. Watowich's studies focused on genes controlling the synthesis of heat shock proteins. All eukaryotic cells, including those from humans, respond to a variety of environmental stresses by increasing the synthesis of a family of stress-induced or heat shock proteins. Her results suggest a complex pattern of gene regulation which in dependent on the specificity and magnitude of physiological damage to the cell. Wendy L. Niebling's research relates to the function of the immune system, and involved the mechanisms by which antigens stimulate resting B lymphocytes to proliferate and differentiate into antibody- secreting cells. Specifically, she studied the cycling pathways of B cell surface receptors to determine possible means of delivering antigen into the processing pathway more efficiently. Her research may lead to the development of efficient ways for delivering antigens which can block autoimmune responses. Kevin P. Foley's research was aimed at understanding how genes become activated in response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, and focused on characterizing the trans-acting factors which interact with regulatory elements of the beta- globin gene during red blood cell development. His research will have important implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying developmental control of gene regulation. Keywords: Autoimmune response; Transcriptional activation; Trans-acting factors; Beta-globin; Developmental control; Gene regulation; Gene expression; Heat shock; HSP70; Clathrin cages; Physiological damage; Immunology; Antigen processing; Antigen presentation; Receptor cycling; B cells.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 28, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA213631
Entities
People
- Francis C. Neuhaus
- Kevin Foley
- Stephanie S. Watowich
- Wendy L. Niebling