Investigators and Program Directors
Robert L. Glaser
Research Scientist, Wadsworth Center, Developmental Genetics and Bioinformatics
Assistant Professor,School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences
Ph.D., Cornell University (1989)
Postdoctoral training, Carnegie Institution of Washington
E-mail: glaser@wadsworth.org
Research Interests
Chromatin structure and function in Drosophila; palmitoyl-protein thioesterases and Batten Disease.
We are studying the structure and function of chromatin in DNA-mediated processes, including transcription, replication and DNA repair. Specifically, we are studying the function of histone variants in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Histone variants are unique, single-copy histones that provide specialized functions within specific regions of a chromosome where the variant protein has been incorporated into chromatin. Of particular interest are the functions of the H2AZ and H2AX families of histone variants. H2AZ variants function in transcriptional regulation and are essential for normal development of higher eukaryotic organisms, including flies and mice. H2AX variants function in DNA repair and are required to maintain the normal integrity of the genome, loss of which can promote the development of cancer. In Drosophila, both H2AZ and H2AX functions are provided by the histone variant H2Av. We are using genetic, biochemical, and cytological techniques to elucidate the functions of H2Av in both the transcriptional regulation of development as well as in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks.
We also study the genetics of Batten Disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis), a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases primarily of childhood. The molecular pathology of Batten Disease is not known, but is likely to involve disruption of normal lysosomal function, since some forms of the disease are caused by mutation of lysosomal proteins and the disease is characterized by the formation of lysosomal inclusions. The infantile form of Batten Disease is caused by mutations in a lysosomal palmitoyl-protein thioesterase. We are investigating the function of the Drosophila homolog of this palmitoyl-protein thioesterase with the goal of developing Drosophila as a model system for studying the genetics of Batten Disease.
Contact Information
E-mail: glaser@wadsworth.org