| Emory University Department of Cell Biology Imaging Core Whitehead Biomedical Research Building | ||||||
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Assistant Professor Phone: (404) 727-0668 Fax: (404) 727-0570 Email: wrossol@emory.edu Research My main research interest is the biological role of mRNA transport and local translation in neurons and their dysfunction in neurological diseases. Our emphasis is on the axonal function of the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease protein SMN and the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease protein TDP-43 in the development and maintenance of motor neurons. Our work focuses on animal models of motor neuron disease to study the axonal function of SMN and TDP-43. We are particularly interested in identifying and studying axonal transcripts and proteins that are affected by SMN-deficiency and mutation or aggregation of TDP-43. We are also investigating the dynamic localization of SMN and TDP-43-containing RNP granules during development, to better understand the biological role of SMN and TDP-43 in the development and maintenance of motor axons. In collaboration with the Emory core facilities, we use a variety of approaches. These include proteomics methods, the generation of transgenic mice and the differentiation of stem cells into motor neurons. It is our long-term goal to gain an understanding of the underlying molecular pathology of SMA and ALS that will help us to develop novel therapeutic strategies. More broadly, these studies are also important for understanding the function of mRNA localization during the development of the nervous system. |
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