Dr.
Patty Zwollo
The College of William & Mary
CURRENT
RESEARCH
Studies on the structure
and function of B cell specific transcription factors, including Pax5, Blimp1,
and XbpI. Roles of B-cell transcription factors during B cell development and
activation. Structure and functions of alternatively spliced isoforms of the
transcription factor Pax5.
Immune system of the trout. Trout, as other
teleosts, do not possess bone marrow or lymph nodes. The development of immune
cells such as the B cell takes place in the kidney. Recent studies involve
isolation and characterization of trout transcription factors that play roles in
B cell development and activation. Location, frequency, and nature of
antibody-secreting cells in trout immune organs being investigated using
intranuclear staining followed by flow cytometric analysis.
Molecular
biology of aging. Functional interactions between Pax5 and redox factors TRX and
Ref1 are being studied in the mouse model. Changes in Pax5 activity, protein
stability, and redox state in aged mice.
