Kelly Wentz-Hunter
Assistant Professor of Biology
Roosevelt University
Biological, Chemical & Physical Sciences/College of Arts and Sciences
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| Office |
Chicago Campus |
Schaumburg Campus |
| Room |
556
(Auditorium Bldg.)
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600J |
| Phone |
(312) 341-7107
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| Hours |
Mon/Wed 9:30-11am |
Tues/Thurs 9:30-11am |
| E-mail |
kwentzhunter@roosevel.edu |
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| Classes Taught |
Biology 201 An Introduction to Organismic Biology
Biology 301 Cellular and Molecular Biology
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| Research Interests |
Biology of Trabecular Meshwork in Health and Disease
This research project has illustrated the basic properties of the cells in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and how they may control the movement of the aqueous humor in healthy and diseased eyes. The recent focus has been on myocilin, a gene associated with glaucoma. One key finding shows that the activity or property of TM cells is changed when myocilin is present in excess amounts or is mutated. In this weakened state, the cells become more susceptible to additional stress. This cell vulnerability may be a key factor leading to pathologic consequences.
Recent work in my laboratory has focused on the use RNA interference, a novel suppression technique, to block myocilin expression in human trabecular meshwork cells and tissue.
Future directions of research including elucidating the role of signal transduction in TM cellular processes. Studies will continue to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in glaucoma.
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| Education |
1991 BS (Biology) University of St. Francis
1996 PhD (Pharmacology and Molecular Biology) Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/The Chicago Medical School
1997-2001 Postdoc (Ophthalmology) University of Illinois at Chicago
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| Representative Publications |
Wentz-Hunter K , Ueda J, Shimizu N, Yue BYJT. (2002) Myocilin is associated with mitochondria inhuman trabecular meshwork cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 190:46-53.
Wentz-Hunter K , Ueda J, Yue BYJT. (2002) Protein Interactions with Myocilin. Invest. Ophthal. Vis. Sci. 43: 176-182.
Wentz-Hunter K, Shen X, Yue BYJT Distribution of myocilin, a glaucoma gene product, in human corneal fibroblasts. Mol Vis. 2003 Jul 3;9:308-14.
Wentz-Hunter K , Kubota R, Shen X, Yue BYJT Extracellular Myocilin Affects Activity of Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells.
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Roosevelt University
Chicago 430 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Schaumburg
1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd, Schaumburg, IL 60173 |
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