Education:
BA 1986 Chemistry - Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
PhD 1990 Biochemistry - Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship:
1990-1993 Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Started at USC: 1993
Research Topics: Cell Structure & Organization, Membranes & Transport, Vision Research, Drug Design, Delivery, Physiology
Research Description
The major area of investigation in my laboratory is the study of the contributions of cytoskeleton and molecular motor proteins to intracellular membrane trafficking, primarily in epithelial cells. Our major project involves investigation of the contributions of these effectors to the stimulated exocytosis and compensatory endocytosis of tear proteins into ocular fluid by lacrimal acinar epithelial cells. As well, we are also interested in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying potential missorting of secretory products that may contribute to ocular diseases such as keratoconjunctivis sicca and Sjögren's syndrome. We are also actively investigating the contribution of motor proteins, cytoskeleton and other effectors of membrane trafficking to the intracellular transport of viruses, with projects including trafficking of adenovirus in epithelial cells and traffic of herpes simplex virus in neurons. Additional collaborative projects include studies on the membrane trafficking of transporters including PepT1 and NHE3 and the regulation of the cytoskeleton by novel signaling pathways. Finally, we actively engage in projects aimed at applying our basic findings towards the practical goals of facilitating the uptake and targeting of macromolecular drugs into target tissue.
Selected Publications
Marchelletta RR, Jacobs DT, Schechter JE, Cheney RE, Hamm-Alvarez SF. - The Class V Myosin Motor, Myosin 5c, Localizes to Mature Secretory Vesicles and Facilitates Exocytosis in Lacrimal Acini. - Am J Physiol Cell Physiol [ 2008 ] Apr 23; . PubMed
Brockbank KG, Maclellan WR, Xie J, Hamm-Alvarez SF, Chen ZZ, Schenke-Layland K. - Quantitative second harmonic generation imaging of cartilage damage. - Cell Tissue Bank [ 2008 ] Apr 23; . PubMed
Yacobi NR, Demaio L, Xie J, Hamm-Alvarez SF, Borok Z, Kim KJ, Crandall ED. - Polystyrene nanoparticle trafficking across alveolar epithelium. - Nanomedicine [ 2008 ] Mar 27; . PubMed
Evans E, Zhang W, Jerdeva G, Chen CY, Chen X, Hamm-Alvarez SF, Okamoto CT. - Direct interaction between Rab3D and the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor and trafficking through regulated secretory vesicles in lacrimal gland acinar cells. - Am J Physiol Cell Physiol [ 2008 ] Mar;294(3):C662-74 . PubMed
Norouziyan F, Shen WC, Hamm-Alvarez SF. - Tyrphostin A8 stimulates a novel trafficking pathway of apically endocytosed transferrin through Rab11-enriched compartments in Caco-2 cells. - Am J Physiol Cell Physiol [ 2008 ] Jan;294(1):C7-21 . PubMed
Schenke-Layland K, Xie J, Angelis E, Starcher B, Wu K, Riemann I, MacLellan WR, Hamm-Alvarez SF. - Increased degradation of extracellular matrix structures of lacrimal glands implicated in the pathogenesis of Sjogren's syndrome. - Matrix Biol [ 2008 ] Jan;27(1):53-66 . PubMed
Wang Y, Chiu CT, Nakamura T, Walker AM, Petridou B, Trousdale MD, Hamm-Alvarez SF, Mircheff AK, Schechter JE. - Traffic of endogenous, transduced, and endocytosed prolactin in rabbit lacrimal acinar cells. - Exp Eye Res [ 2007 ] Dec;85(6):749-61 . PubMed
Schenke-Layland K, Xie J, Heydarkhan-Hagvall S, Hamm-Alvarez SF, Stock UA, Brockbank KG, MacLellan WR. - Optimized preservation of extracellular matrix in cardiac tissues: implications for long-term graft durability. - Ann Thorac Surg [ 2007 ] May;83(5):1641-50 . PubMed
Wang Y, Chiu CT, Nakamura T, Walker AM, Petridou B, Trousdale MD, Hamm-Alvarez SF, Schechter JE, Mircheff AK. - Elevated prolactin redirects secretory vesicle traffic in rabbit lacrimal acinar cells. - Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab [ 2007 ] Apr;292(4):E1122-34 . PubMed
Selvam S, Thomas PB, Hamm-Alvarez SF, Schechter JE, Stevenson D, Mircheff AK, Trousdale MD. - Current status of gene delivery and gene therapy in lacrimal gland using viral vectors. - Adv Drug Deliv Rev [ 2006 ] Nov 15;58(11):1243-57 . PubMed
