Biochemistry of
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Leah
Chase
Associate
Professor
Biology
& Chemistry
chase@hope.edu
Photograph
B.S., University of Michigan, Flint, 1993
Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1999
“Regulation
of System xc- by Hydrogen Peroxide” Campbell Foundation
Acquisition
of an Apotome/Fluorescence Microscope Imaging System for Enhanced Research in
the Biological Sciences at Hope College”
NSF-MRI program
Chase,
L.A, Peterson, N.L. and Koerner, J.F. (2007) “The Lathyrus toxin,
b-N-oxalyl-L-a,b-diaminoproprionic acid (ODAP), and homocysteic acid
sensitize CA1 pyramidal neurons to cystine and L-2-amino-6-phosphonohexanoic
acid” Toxicology and Applied
Pharmacology 219(1):1-9.
Chase,
L.A., Stewart, J., Barney, C.C. (2006) “Cultivation of an Interdisciplinary, Research-Based Neuroscience Minor at
Hope College. Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience 5(1):A6-A13.
Director of the Neuroscience Minor Program
Areas of expertise: Biochemistry and Neuroscience
Our research is focused on
understanding the molecular events that underlie oxidative cell death
associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
We are specifically interested
in the regulation of a membrane transporter, System xc-, which transports cystine into the cell. Thus, the activity of this transporter plays
a significant role in promoting the synthesis of the antioxidant,
glutathione. We are using biochemical
and electrophysiologocal approaches to understand the structure/function and
regulation of this transporter.
