Richard D. Berlin
Center for Cell Analysis & Modeling

Eun-Ji Kim

 

Education:

Chonnam National University, South Korea, B.S. in Biochemical Engineering and Minor in English Literature
Central Connecticut State University, USA, M.S. in Biomolecular Science

 

Current Advisor:

Dr. Ji Yu

 

Scientific Interests:

I am interested in the mechanism of molecular motors in neuron. Neurons develop the polarized structure of axonal and somato-dendritic domain to achieve the functional domains of sending and receiving signal information, respectively. In order to do that, a neuron utilizes molecular motor proteins, kinesin, dynein, and myosin. These motors transport proteins to the correct compartment of neuron such as axon, dendrite, or dendritic spine. My research project focuses on Myosin V, an actin binding motor protein. I use photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM) to address how motility of myosin V is regulated at the dendritic spine in hippocampal neuron.

 

Publications

X-M Ma, D. D. Kiraly, E. D. Gaier, Y. Wang, E-J Kim, E. S. Levine, B. A. Eipper, and R. E. Mains (2008). Kalirin-7 Is Required for Synaptic Structure and Function. J. Neurosci. 28(47):12368-12382

V. Tatavarty, E-J Kim, V. Rodionov, and J. Yu (2009). Investigating Sub-Spine Actin Dynamics in Rat Hippocampal Neurons with Super-Resolution Optical Imaging. PLoS ONE 4 (11): e7724

X-M Ma , J-P Huang, E-J Kim, Q Zhu, G. A. Kuchel, R. E. Mains, B. A. Eipper (2010). Kalirin-7, an important component of excitatory synapses, is regulated by estradiol in hippocampal neurons. Hippocampus 21(6):661-77

AR Moore, WL Zhou, ES Potapenko, E-J Kim, SD Antic (2011). Brief dopaminergic stimulations produce transient physiological changes in prefrontal pyramidal neurons. Brain Research 25(1370):1-15.

 

Favorite thing about UCHC/Hartford Area:

CT is rural. UCHC is exposed to more natural and healthier environment and have a very supportive and cohesive network.
Hartford has extreme seasons; we can enjoy a beach with the muggy and humid summer and skiing with the cold winter and frequent snow.

 

A hippocampal neuron expressing Myosin Vb HMM-Eos, in 21-days culture.