Chien-Ping Ko Professor Neurobiology, Biological Sciences College of Letters Arts & Sciences

Education:
BS 1970 Zoology - National Taiwan University, Taiwan
PhD 1975 Physiology/Biophysics - Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship:
1975 - 1978 University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
1978 - 1981 National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland

Started at USC: 1981

Research Topics: Cellular Neurobiology, Neurogenetics, Developmental Biology

Research Description

 I am interested in the following research areas:

 1. Synaptic structure, function, formation, repair, and maintenance.

 2. Synapse-glia interactions at the neuromuscular junction.

 3. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Among the most challenging questions in neurobiology is how synaptic connections form, function, and maintain at the appropriate targets in normal and disease. To address these important questions, we study the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a model synapse due to its relatively simple morphology and easy accessibility. Using electrophysiological, morphological, and molecular approaches, we examine the role of synaptic molecules in transmitter release and synaptic plasticity in knockout mice that lack certain genes. We are also interested in the role of glial cells and glial-derived factors in the maintenance of synaptic structure and function as well as in promoting synapse development, regeneration and sprouting. Our research on synapse-glial interactions would test an emerging concept that glial cells tell neurons to build larger, stronger and more stable synapses.

We also use transgenic mice to investigate the mechanisms of ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease), a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective loss of upper and lower motoneurons. In addition, we use transgenic mice to study SMA, a leading genetic cause of infant mortality characterized by the loss of spinal motoneurons and atrophy of the proximal muscles of the limbs and trunk. We are studying the possible contribution of synapse loss or defects to the pathogenesis of these motor neuron diseases. In addition, we are interested in translational research by testing molecules that potentially could be used to treat these devastating diseases.

The techniques used in my laboratory include intracellular recording, patch-clamp, fluorescence microscopy, video and confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, monoclonal antibody production, affinity chromatography, PCR, immunoblotting, and tissue culture.