Ravi Tolwani, D.V.M, Ph.D. is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine whose doctoral training with Dr. Phillip Wood at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, focused on the development of an animal model deficient in fatty acid oxidation using site-directed mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells. Since completing his Ph.D., Dr. Tolwani has been engaged in clinical laboratory animal care. Dr. Tolwani plans to build on this background in molecular genetics to develop his skills in the experimental manipulation of the mouse genome and the development of transgenic mouse models. Dr. Tolwani's research is co- sponsored by Linda Cork, D.V.M., Ph.D., a comparative neuropathologist with expertise in characterization of animal models, and Eric hooter, Ph.D., who has an outstanding reputation for his work on neurotrophins. Dr. Tolwani will work in two laboratories. Dr. Shooter has a cutting- edge cell and molecular biology laboratory and Dr. Cork has a specialized comparative neuropathology laboratory. Each laboratory will bring its particular strengths to the proposed research. Dr. Tolwani will analyze, in part, mechanisms which may protect neurons from excessive neurotrophins. Neurotrophins are secreted in minute amounts and support the survival and differentiation of neurons. Insufficient or excessive amounts of neurotrophins alters neuronal function and physiology. Transgenic mouse models will be developed in which expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can be induced; these will be used to analyze specific molecular mechanisms which may protect against excessive BDNF. Transgenic mice will also be used to evaluate how changes in amounts of BDNF affect dopaminergic function an induced mouse model of Parkinson disease. This unique transgenic mouse model will be utilized to understand the biology of neurotrophins and to examine the therapeutic potential of neurotrophins for neurodegenerative disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01RR000129-05
Application #
6627695
Study Section
National Center for Research Resources Initial Review Group (RIRG)
Program Officer
Harding, John D
Project Start
1998-12-15
Project End
2003-12-14
Budget Start
2002-12-15
Budget End
2003-12-14
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$122,688
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Petrunak, Elyse M; DeVore, Natasha M; Porubsky, Patrick R et al. (2014) Structures of human steroidogenic cytochrome P450 17A1 with substrates. J Biol Chem 289:32952-64
Keshet, Gilmor I; Tolwani, Ravi J; Trejo, Angelica et al. (2007) Increased host neuronal survival and motor function in BMT Parkinsonian mice: involvement of immunosuppression. J Comp Neurol 504:690-701
Liu, Ning; Varma, Sushama; Tsao, David et al. (2007) Depleting endogenous neurotrophin-3 enhances myelin formation in the Trembler-J mouse, a model of a peripheral neuropathy. J Neurosci Res 85:2863-9
Tolwani, Ravi J; Hamm, Doug A; Tian, Liqun et al. (2005) Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in gene-targeted mice. PLoS Genet 1:e23
Green, S L; Tolwani, R J; Varma, S et al. (2005) Absence of mutations in the survival motor neuron cDNA from labrador retrievers with an inherited myopathy. Vet Rec 157:250-4
Gooday, Andrew J; Bowser, Samuel S (2005) The second species of Gromia (Protista) from the deep sea: its natural history and association with the Pakistan margin oxygen minimum zone. Protist 156:113-26
Liu, Ning; Varma, Sushama; Shooter, Eric M et al. (2005) Enhancement of Schwann cell myelin formation by K252a in the Trembler-J mouse dorsal root ganglion explant culture. J Neurosci Res 79:310-7
Tolwani, Ravi J; Cosgaya, Jose M; Varma, Sushama et al. (2004) BDNF overexpression produces a long-term increase in myelin formation in the peripheral nervous system. J Neurosci Res 77:662-9
Green, S L; Tolwani, R J; Varma, S et al. (2002) Structure, chromosomal location, and analysis of the canine Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene. J Hered 93:119-24
Tolwani, R J; Buckmaster, P S; Varma, S et al. (2002) BDNF overexpression increases dendrite complexity in hippocampal dentate gyrus. Neuroscience 114:795-805