18. GOALS FOR FELLOWSHIP TRAINING AND CAREER In the next 36 months, I hope to accomplish the criteria outlined by the University of New Mexico MD/PhD program for PhD candidates. I have recently completed the first phase (classroom coursework) of medical school. Currently, I am completing the core coursework required of PhD students. The PhD work has offered an exciting challenge and a glimpse at my future as a medical researcher. I have chosen the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology due to its versatility and application to current pathophysiology questions. The NRSA fellowhip will be an intergral part in my scientific training. Throughout my training I have outlined personal and professional goals and have searched out a training environment which could satisfy those goals. I hope to gain experience in the three major types of research currently conducted at UNM. These include clinical research, in vivo experiments (animal modeling), and finally the complex mechanistic work that takes place in vitro. Dr. Abouwer, Vander Jagt and Schade will be essential in creating these opportunities. The diabetes work will provide a solid background in scientific reasoning, research and presentation while learning the complex biology of a devasatating diesase. Other training activities will be provided by UNM to prepare me for a carrer in academic medicine. The Office of Cultural and Ethnic Programs will provide teaching opportunities and training in the problem based learning models. -lii'l_ F1'li 19. NAME AND DEGREE(S) Steve F. Abcouwer PhD 20. POSITION/RANK Assistant Professor 21. RESEARCH INTERESTS/AREAS Dr. Abcouwer, a cell/molecular biologist, has research experience in glutamines control of tumor cell proliferation and gene expression. He has become interested in the effect of ER stress pathways on gene expression, angiogenesis, and diabetic retinopathy 22. DESCRIPTION (Do not exceed space provided) Our goal is to determine how VEGF translation and transcription is affected by ER-stress and if this mechanism plays a role in experimental retinophathy. Recent publications have shown a correlation between ER-stress and increased levels of VEGF mRNA and protein. Protein synthesis attenuation occurs during ER-stress and has prompted us to examine the role of a proposed internal ribosome entry site (IRES), located in the 5' UTR, in the translation initiation of VEGF synthesis. The role of ER-stress on angiogenesis will be further explored using an in vitro diabetic retinopathy model. The Streptozotocin (STZ) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) diabetic rat models are the identified models in which these studies will take place. By confirming or disproving the role of ER-stress on angiogenesis we will develop a greater understanding of vascular associated complications seen in diabetes. PHS 416-1 (Rev. 12/98) Form Page 2 BB cc Individual NRSA Application NAME (Last, first, middle initial) Table of Contents ========================================Section End===========================================
| Roybal, C Nathaniel; Hunsaker, Lucy A; Barbash, Olena et al. (2005) The oxidative stressor arsenite activates vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA transcription by an ATF4-dependent mechanism. J Biol Chem 280:20331-9 |
| Roybal, C Nathaniel; Marmorstein, Lihua Y; Vander Jagt, David L et al. (2005) Aberrant accumulation of fibulin-3 in the endoplasmic reticulum leads to activation of the unfolded protein response and VEGF expression. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 46:3973-9 |
| Roybal, C Nathaniel; Yang, Shujie; Sun, Chiao-Wang et al. (2004) Homocysteine increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor by a mechanism involving endoplasmic reticulum stress and transcription factor ATF4. J Biol Chem 279:14844-52 |
