Hearing loss is one of the most common types of sensory loss affecting 1 to 2 in 1,000 newborns. The formation of hearing apparatus requires a set of genes known as planar cell polarity (PCP) genes, and mutations in PCP genes cause defects in the hearing organ. The proposed work will provide novel insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate PCP signaling underlying human deafness and potentially identify therapeutic targets for improving hearing.
My current research project is geared towards understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling. A number of developmental defects including deafness, neural tube closure defects, and kidney defects are associated with disruption of PCP signaling. It is known that several essential PCP proteins, such as Van gogh-like 2 (Vangl2) and Frizzled (Fz), are localized to cellular membrane in a polarized manner in the cochlea which is thought to mediate coordination of sensory cell polarity among neighboring cells. However, one long standing question in the PCP signaling field is how the dynamic convergent extension (CE) process is regulated by the PCP pathway. My current research endeavors include the use of the mouse cochlea as the model system and combined mouse genetics, advanced imaging, and molecular and cell biolo
1. FIRST Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 2013- 2016
2. Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 2011-2013
3. Ph.D., Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 2011
4. B.S., Biology, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL, 2004
5. A.S., Wallace Community College, Selma, AL, 2002
BIO 309 Cell Biology
Photo 1: http://www.biology.emory.edu/first/fellows/past-fellows/tower-gilchrist-cristy.html