Dolores Takemoto, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator)

The laboratory is studying the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in control of gap junctions and in repair during retinoblastoma. Hypoxic tissues such as lens and retinoblastoma express a unique gap junction protein Cx46.Our aim is to study whether this Cx46 protein provides protection to retinoblastoma tissue against hypoxia induced death.The laboratory is also studying the mechanism of proteosomal degradation of gap junction proteins Cx46 and Cx43.

Satyabrata Das (Graduate Student)

Satya is studying the role of PKC gamma in regulating the lens gap junction proteins.

Debarshi Banerjee (Graduate Student)

Debarshi is looking at the function of hypoxia specific Connexin 46 protein in human lens, solid breast tumors and diabetic eyes.

Adam Snider (Graduate Student)

Adam is working toward a Master's degree in Biochemistry. He is currently studying the misregulated targets of PKC gamma mutants found in spinocerebellar ataxia type 14.

Samuel Molina (Graduate Student)

Sam is a PhD gratduate student who is studying the mechanism of Connexin 46 mediated cell survival in hypoxia and early stage retinoblastoma.

Melanie Katz (Undergraduate Student)

Melanie is an undergraduate research assistant. She does work pertaining to the online biochemistry course as well as assists with the retinoblastoma project.

Amy Hurt (Undergraduate Student)

Amy is a post bacheloriate student working toward finishing her pre-med prerequisites. She is currently helping Debarshi with his research.

Derek Low (Undergraduate Student)

Derek is helping Adam with his research and working diligently to finish updating this website. He hopes to continue on to Medical School.