Current Projects

• Effect of Rap1 proteins on  Rho family GTPases: Effects on cell attachment and proliferation.

• The role of nucleolin in homologous DNA recombination and double-strand break repair.

• Identification of microsatellite markers for paternity analysis in columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).

Recent Publications and Presentations

Naomi Mraz and Jessica Broten, at the Minnesota Academy meeting, where they both won awards for their research.

A. De, S. L. Donahue, N. E. Castro, N. Mraz, J. L. Cruise,  and C. Campbell  Nucleolin: Influence on homologous recombination and direct interaction with human Rad51. [Manuscript in submission]

J.L. Cruise (2001)- Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Meeting      St. Paul, MN. "Cell-cycle related expression of Rap1, a ras family member and potential inhibitor of proliferation." 

J. Broten, G. Michalopoulos, B. Petersen, and J.L. Cruise (1999) Adrenergic stimulation of hepatocyte growth factor expression.  BIOCHEM. BIOPHYS. RES. COMMUN. 262(1):76-79.

J.L. Cruise,  M.P. Rafferty, and M.M. Riehle  (1997) Cell-cycle-regulated expression of Rap1 in regenerating liver.  BIOCHEM. BIOPHYS. RES. COMMUN. 230: 578-581.

B. Thyagarajan,  J.L. Cruise, and C. Campbell (1996) Elevated levels of homologous DNA recombination activity in the regenerating rat liver.  SOMATIC CELL AND MOLECULAR GENETICS. 22(1): 31-39

Published Abstracts / Student Presentations:  

Jessica Broten, 1999. "Alpha adrenergic regulation of HGF expression in MRC-5 fibroblasts." National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Rochester, NY. Also presented at  Minnesota Academy of Science, St. Paul, MN. Mayo Award Winner.

William Cross, 2000. "Rap1A basal level importance and regulation in multiple cell types," Minnesota Academy of Science, Moorhead, MN, April 2000.

Amy Gaviglio, 2005. “The Effect of Rap1 on the small G-proteins Rac and cdc42, and on cell cycle control.” Iowa Academy of Science,  IA. Johnson Award Winner.

Michelle Gorman, 2000. "IgY antibody against mammalian nucleolin, a protein implicated in DNA recombination." Tri-Beta Regional Meeting, Bethel College, Arden Hills, MN; Second Place Poster Award Winner, April 2000.

Matt Hallman and Laura Smid, 1998. "BMK1 activation as a result of shear stress," Minnesota Academy of Science, Winona, MN.

Steve Harrold, 1998. “Norepinephrine causes an increase in HGF concentration in MRC-5 media,”  Minnesota Academy of Science, Winona, MN. 

Sarah Hoper, 1998. “The role of phophoinositide 3-Kinase in hepatocyte DNA replication  stimulated by norepinephrine,” Minnesota Academy of Science, Winona, MN. Winchell Award Winner.

Julie Horbul, 2002. "Exploring the relationship between Rap1 and Rho, small G-Proteins implicated in cell cycle control," Tri-Beta Regional Meeting, Bethel College,  College, Arden Hills, MN.  

Keith Hultman, 2001. "Development of microsatellite DNA markers for Aquilegia canadensis," Tri-Beta Regional Meeting, St. Mary's University, Winona, MN.

Jessica Janisch, 2001." Circadian rhythm studies: Genotyping of mPer2 knockout mice and in situ hybridization for determination of per gene expression," Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN.

Nikos Katopodis.1990. “Levels of  rap1a mRNA in liver tissue during the process of liver regeneration.” Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN.

Jennifer Kuzma. 1990. " Virus-mediated cell fusion for delivery of monoclonal antibodies to intracellular targets." ACTC Annual Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium, St. Paul, MN

Tinna Laughlin. 1991.  “Uncoupling of the alpha1adrenergic receptor and DNA synthesis.”  Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN; National Conference on  Undergraduate Research, Minneapolis, MN.

Karen Lommel, 1994."The role of cyclic AMP in insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis." 8th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Kalamazoo, MI.

Ryan McAdams, 1994." Indomethacin does not inhibit the stimulatory effect of norepinephrine on DNA synthesis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes." North Central Region District 3 Tri Beta Convention, St. Paul, MN

Maureen McDonnell, 1994. "Norepinephrine-induced down regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor: GTP-dependent and independent effects." Argonne National Laboratory Undergraduate Research Symposium, Argonne, IL. (Also 1st place at 1994 North Central Region District 3 Tri Beta Convention, St. Paul, MN.)

Rebecca Mooney, 2001. "Development of microsatellite DNA markers for Aquilegia canadensis," Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN.

Naomi, Mraz, 1999. "The role of nucleolin in homologous DNA recombination," Minnesota Academy of Science, St. Paul, MN. Winchell Award Winner.

Yvonne  Mudek, 1990. "Cyclooxygenase products as potential mediators of enhanced DNA synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes." 7th Annual Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium, St. Paul, MN.

Danielle Perry, 1997. "Levels of Rap1A during NIH-3T3 cell proliferation," Minnesota Academy  of Science Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN

Michael Rafferty and J. Cruise. 1996. "Decrease in rap1A expression precedes and persists during S-phase in regenerating rat liver." Keystone Symposium on Small  G Proteins, Tamarron, CO.

Ann Ryan, 1997. "Alpha-adrenergic receptor binding in MRC-5 human fibroblasts," Minnesota  Academy of Science Annual Meeting, St. Paul, MN

Brian Smoley. 1993. "Detection of ras p21 proteins in rat liver membranes using an enzyme linked immunosorbant assay." North Central Region District 3 Tri Beta Convention, St. Peter, MN

Thomas Trempe, 1994. "Cyclic AMP found to inhibit DNA synthesis in female rat hepatocytes." North Central Region District 3 Tri Beta Convention, St. Paul, MN.

Amy VanderBloemen, 1992. "The role of GAP-bound p21 in tumor cell proliferation." Minnesota Academy of Science,  St. Paul, MN.

Wendy Wagoner,  1992. "Hepatocyte growth regulation effects of insulin and cAMP. "North Central Region Tri Beta Convention, Chicago, IL.

Daniel Wenkel, 1992. "Effect of neomycin on norepinephrine-stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes." 6th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Minneapolis, MN 

Colleen Wherley. 1991. "Sex differences in the stimulated DNA synthesis of rat hepatocytes in vitro."  Minnesota Academy of Science, St. Paul, MN.

Grant Applications and Awards

EXTERNAL SUPPORT

Primary Investigator:
National Institutes of Health Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) "Alpha-1 Adrenoreceptor,  ras p21, and Liver Regeneration," (1990-1993) $75,000.

National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award (1990-1994) $125,000 base grant, plus additional matching support.

National Institutes of Health Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) "Homologous recombination in liver regeneration.”  (1996-1999) $75,000

Co-investigator: 

National Institutes of Health 1-RO1-CA43362 (1985-1988) $420,439.

National Science Foundation Instructional Laboratory Improvement grant  (1990-1992) $150,000.

National Science Foundation Instructional Laboratory Improvement grant  (1997-1999) $100,000.

Support  for Student Research:

Amy VanderBloemen;  "ras p21 and GAP interactions in normal and neoplastic cells." Scholl Foundation Fellowship (Summer 1991) $2000

Wendy Wagoner; "Insulin's stimulation of  DNA synthesis in hepatocytes." Scholl Foundation Fellowship (Summer 1991) $2000

Dan Wenkel; “Effect of neomycin  on norepinephrine-stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes.” R&D Systems, Inc. (Summer 1991) $2500

INTERNAL SUPPORT

Awards

JLC; UST Undergraduate Research Award (2002)

"Small GTPases and Cell Proliferation Control." University of St. Thomas Sabbatical Assistance Grant  (2002-2003) $3000

Student Researchers