The Korey Lab
DROSOPHILA AS A MODEL FOR BATTEN DISEASE
Christopher A. Korey
Ph.D., Harvard University, 2001
Assistant Professor of Biology
Department of Biology
College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
Office: Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, Rm 217C
Email: koreyc@cofc.edu
Phone: 843-953-7178
Fax: 843-953-5453
Web: Personal site
The laboratory of Christopher A. Korey uses the model system Drosophila melanogaster to elucidate the molecular basis of two human neurological diseases: Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
Current Research
Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Project:
The lab has recently completed a year-long (Fall 2004-Fall 2005) large-scale genetic modifier screen aimed at understanding the function of the gene involved in the infant-onset form of Batten disease. The disease is produced by a mutation in the gene that encodes Palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1). While much is known about the pathology of the disease and where this particular protein is found within cells, there is still little understanding of the function of PPT1 within the cell.
In a paper published in the fall of 2003 we showed that expression of the Drosophila homolog of PPT1 causes degeneration of neurons and other cells in the Drosophila eye (Korey and MacDonald, 2003). We are now using the powerful genetics of Drosophila to ask if co-expression of a set of 2,000 different genes can modify (prevent or enhance) the degeneration produced by expression of PPT1. Our hypothesis being that any gene that modifies the degeneration is likely to be a gene that is important for the cellular function of PPT1. Our collection of genes at the end of the screen will provide insight into how the protein functions in the cell and thus help to elucidate the molecular basis of the neuronal degeneration seen in Batten disease patients.
Tuberous Sclerosis Project:
In collaboration with the laboratory of Vijaya Ramesh at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Korey has begun working on a project that uses Drosophila as a model for the neurological disease Tuberous Sclerosis.
The disease is associated with mutations in two classic tumor suppressor genes TSC1 and TSC2 that produce large benign tumors in the nervous system and other organs in patients who have mutations in one of these genes. Consistent with this, TSC1 and TSC2 have been shown to be components of a well-characterized signaling pathway involved in cell growth control. Patients can also display neurological symptoms associated with Autism spectrum disorders suggesting that TSC genes may have other cellular functions. In support of this, recent work suggests that these two proteins may also be involved in the normal function of neuronal cells. Korey’s lab is interested in looking at the possible role of these two proteins in synaptic function in the brain. The Ramesh lab specializes in human and mouse genetics and Korey’s work in Drosophila will nicely complement their research.
Lab Students
Current and Past Lab Members (click photos to enlarge)
Alexis
Smith (’06):
Alexis was supported by a summer SURF award and presented
her work at the 2005 SURF poster session. She presented her work
at both the 2005 and 2006 Society for Neuroscience (SFN) conferences.
As part of the 2005 SFN trip she also participated in a professional
skills workshop with other undergraduates that focused on careers in
science, applying for fellowships and a discussion on how to attend
large meetings like SFN. Alexis also presented her work at the 2006
regional SYNAPSE undergraduate neuroscience conference. She was awarded
departmental honors and an Outstanding Biology Graduate award for her work.
She is currently a research technician in the lab and is applying to Medical
School.
Haley Buff (’06):
Haley was supported in the summer of 2005 by my SOMAS award. She presented
her work at the 2005 and 2006 Society for Neuroscience (SFN) conferences.
As part of the 2005 trip she also participated in a professional skills workshop
with other undergraduates that focused on careers in science, applying for
fellowships and a discussion on how to attend large meetings like SFN. She
also presented her work at the 2006 regional SYNAPSE undergraduate neuroscience
conference. Haley graduated from the Honors College and was awarded departmental
honors for her work. She is currently a research technician in the lab and
is applying to Dental School.
John Kohler (’07):
John is a senior who works on the PPT2 protein in Drosophila. John presented his work at the 2006 regional SYNAPSE undergraduate neuroscience conference and the 2006 Society for Neuroscience meeting. He is currently applying to medical school.
Monica Shaw (’06):
Monica attended the 2006 regional SYNAPSE undergraduate neuroscience conference. She graduated from the Honors College and received departmental honors and Outstanding Graduate Award for her research work at the college. She is currently enrolled in the medical program at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Jamie van Etten (’07):
Jamie attended the 2006 regional SYNAPSE undergraduate neuroscience conference and presented her work at the 2006 Society for Neuroscience conference. She is currently applying to graduate school in Chemical Biology.