Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences

 

 

Education:

BS biology, Sam Houston State University (1983), PhD., genetics, University of Arizona (1994).  Post-Doctoral Training, NIH supported Fellowship, Northwestern University Medical School, 1995-1999

 

Contact Information: 

Mailing Address:
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Missouri State University
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897

Communication Links:
Office Phone: (417) 836-6140
Fax: (417) 836-5588
E-mail: ColetteWitkowski@MissouriState.edu

Office Location:
Professional Building, Room 341. 

Teaching Responsibilites:

BMS 525, Molecular Biology; BMS 558, Recombinant DNA Techniques

Research Interests:

My research interest is mainly in the area of extracellular matrix (ECM) or basement membrane proteins. These proteins are secreted into the extracellular space between cells. ECM proteins include collagen, fibronectin, laminin and other tissue specific secreted proteins that form mesh-like networks in extracellular space. These mesh-like networks provide cell and tissue support, molecular sieving (as in the glomerular basement membrane in the kidney), and provide cells with specific signals required for cell differentiation. My research focuses on type IV collagen which forms a network that has been shown by electron microscopy to resemble chicken wire. To ask specific questions about the role of type IV collagen during development, the nematode C. elegans is used as a model organism. Worms that have mutations in type IV collagen genes show abnormalities during development. In the lab, genetic, transgenic, immunofluorescence microscopy, molecular and cellular biology techniques are utilized to determine the role of collagen type IV during development.

Personal Information:

My hobbies and interests are many and include hiking, backpacking, photography and cooking. My most challenging backpacking trip was a 35 mile/5 day trip in the Grand Canyon to the Colorado river and back up on unmaintained trails--you find out a lot about yourself!! Photography is my form of artistic expression and cooking for me is an expressive form of scientific experimentation that nearly always has a positive outcome and immediate gratification! 

 

Graduate Students

 

Courtney Eaves, Fall 2004. Cell and Molecular Biology Master of Science Program

Srilatha Nalluri,  Identification and Analysis of a Putative Cell Surface Receptor for C. elegans Collagen Type IV Using Bioinformatics tools and RNA Interference Mechanism.  Cell and Molecular Biology Master of Science Program Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology, December, 2006

Shannon Burcks, RNAi analysis of putative C. elegans collagen IV cell surface receptors.  Cell and Molecular Biology Master of Science Program, Fall 2005

David Stone, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) tagged extracellular Collagen type IV molecule.  Cell and Molecular Biology Master of Science Accelerated Program, December 2004.

Umme Rumana. Analysis of Basement Membrane Receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans Collagen IV Mutants  Cell and Molecular Biology Master of Science Program  Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology, May, 2004

Libia Chandler, Effect of emb-9 and let-2 Mutations on the Proper Assembly of Basement Membranes and on the Morphology of Body Wall Muscle Cells in Caenorhabditis elegans.  Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology, August, 2003

Lori Langiano, Analysis of a Proposed Cell-Binding Site on the Caehorhabdidtis elegans collagen type IV.  Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology, May, 2003