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Research Interests
Developmental Genetics, Teratology.
Research Summary
The Stenkamp lab is interested in
the cellular and molecular mechanisms of vertebrate retinal
development and regeneration, with specific focus on the
differentiation and aging of photoreceptors and ganglion cells.
Zebrafish are the primary experimental models used in the lab,
since they develop rapidly, have multiple photoreceptor subtypes
that can be easily identified, continue to grow new retinal tissue
throughout life and can be manipulated genetically.
Our major area of investigation currently is the involvement of specific factors such as the signaling protein, sonic hedgehog and the Vitamin A derivative, retinoic acid, in regulating the differentiation of rod and cone photoreceptors. The aim is to better define the sources of these factors in the developing retina and determine their effects on photoreceptors and other retinal cells by using gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches, including the examination of specific zebrafish mutants and the use of transgenic zebrafish with inducible genes.
The laboratory is also interested in applying our knowledge of factors involved in development of retinal cells to the analysis and treatment of human visual disorders. For example, we are also pursuing the role of retinoic acid signaling in the ocular manifestations of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and the role of sonic hedgehog signaling in the age-related loss of cone photoreceptors.
Our major area of investigation currently is the involvement of specific factors such as the signaling protein, sonic hedgehog and the Vitamin A derivative, retinoic acid, in regulating the differentiation of rod and cone photoreceptors. The aim is to better define the sources of these factors in the developing retina and determine their effects on photoreceptors and other retinal cells by using gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches, including the examination of specific zebrafish mutants and the use of transgenic zebrafish with inducible genes.
The laboratory is also interested in applying our knowledge of factors involved in development of retinal cells to the analysis and treatment of human visual disorders. For example, we are also pursuing the role of retinoic acid signaling in the ocular manifestations of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and the role of sonic hedgehog signaling in the age-related loss of cone photoreceptors.
Research Publications
2005-2009
Nelson, S.M., T. Mahmoud, M.
Beaux, 2nd, P. Shapiro, D.N. McIlroy, and D.L.
Stenkamp, Toxic and teratogenic silica nanowires in
developing vertebrate embryos. Nanomedicine, 2009.
Nelson, S.M., L. Park, and
D.L. Stenkamp, Retinal homeobox 1 is required for
retinal neurogenesis and photoreceptor differentiation in embryonic
zebrafish. Dev Biol, 2009. 328(1): p. 24-39.
Nelson, S.M., R.A. Frey, S.L.
Wardwell, and D.L. Stenkamp, The developmental
sequence of gene expression within the rod photoreceptor lineage in
embryonic zebrafish. Dev Dyn, 2008. 237(10): p. 2903-17.
Sherpa, T., S.M. Fimbel, D.E.
Mallory, H. Maaswinkel, S.D. Spritzer, J.A. Sand, L. Li, D.R. Hyde,
and D.L. Stenkamp, Ganglion cell regeneration
following whole-retina destruction in zebrafish. Dev Neurobiol,
2008. 68(2): p. 166-81.
Stenkamp, D.L.,
R. Satterfield, K. Muhunthan, T. Sherpa, T.S. Vihtelic, and D.A.
Cameron, Age-related cone abnormalities in zebrafish with genetic
lesions in sonic hedgehog. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2008. 49(10):
p. 4631-40.
Kashyap, B., L.C. Frederickson,
and D.L. Stenkamp, Mechanisms for persistent
microphthalmia following ethanol exposure during retinal
neurogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Vis Neurosci, 2007. 24(3): p.
409-21.
Stenkamp, D.L.,
Neurogenesis in the fish retina. Int Rev Cytol, 2007. 259: p.
173-224.
Shupe, J.M., D.M. Kristan, S.N.
Austad, and D.L. Stenkamp, The eye of the
laboratory mouse remains anatomically adapted for natural
conditions. Brain Behav Evol, 2006. 67(1): p. 39-52
Prabhudesai, S.N., D.A. Cameron,
and D.L. Stenkamp, Targeted effects of retinoic
acid signaling upon photoreceptor development in zebrafish. Dev
Biol, 2005. 287(1): p. 157-67.
Stenkamp, D.L.,
J.L. Calderwood, E.E. Van Niel, L.M. Daniels, and F.
Gonzalez-Fernandez, The interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein
(IRBP) of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). Mol Vis, 2005.
11: p. 833-45.