University of Wisconsin - Stout

Zebrafish Embryos

Dr. Michael A. Pickart
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Department of Biology
203A Jarvis Hall, Science Wing
410 10th Ave SE,
Menomonie, WI 54751
office: 715-232-1148
fax: 715-232-2192
email: pickartm@uwstout.edu

BIO-101: Introductory Biology
BIO-235: Molecular Cell Biology II
BIO-370: Biotechnology
BIO-470: Advanced Biotechnology
BIO-489: Advanced Biology Experience

203A Jarvis Hall, Science Wing
Monday 3:35 – 4:30
Wednesday 11:05 – 12:00
Thursday 2:20 – 3:15

Comparative and Functional Genomics, Biological Databases, Antisense Oligonucleotides, Skin and Pigment Biology, Oral Cancer Biology, and Teaching and Learning Research.

Council on Undergraduate Research, Wisconsin Science Olympiad, Minnesota Academy of Science, National Conferences on Undergraduate Research, American Association for Dental Research, Radiation Research Society, and American Association for Cancer Research.

My primary aim as a teacher/scientist is to foster the educational development of my students by providing a reflective, community-centered classroom and research opportunities. Careers in modern biological and clinical sciences are increasingly interconnected and often require multidisciplinary approaches to solve complex problems. Consequently, I believe it is important to prepare students to be critical consumers of scientific knowledge, to understand and utilize technology, to be skilled in team approaches of inquiry and practice, and to engage in the broader communities of which we are all a part. Communication and valuing diversity are key contributors to student success in these areas. Thus, I strive for supportive dialog between students and myself, as well as between students and their peers, with the hope of creating an inclusive classroom where students can explore their vocational goals and improve their ability to evaluate the impact of biological sciences in their lives.

GOAL: My primary goal is to develop interdisciplinary research opportunities for undergraduates centered on projects utilizing biotechnological innovations in genomics, tissue engineering, antisense-mediated gene therapy, computational biology, and bioinformatics and to integrate these opportunities into my teaching and advising. The following aims support this goal:

•Continued development of a student managed, UW-System core facility, the Genomics Technology Access Core Facility (GTAC) . GTAC supports discovery and investigation of chemical and genetic biotechnological applications through zebrafish and human cell models, including human embryonic stem cells.

• Improved support for student access in GTAC and the other biotechnology open access labs through the development of student-directed learning modules and workstations for facility training and distributed management.

• Establish interdisciplinary student teams for project investigation utilizing GTAC resources.

• Strengthen off-campus collaborative relationships to provide diverse, rich experiences for students and faculty conducting GTAC investigations.

• Leverage GTAC projects for improved course instruction and integration of research with undergraduate education.

Pickart, M.A., E. W. Klee, A. L. Nielson, S. Sivasubbu, E. M. Mendenhall, B. R. Bill, E. Chen, C. E. Eckfeldt, M. Knowlton, M.E. Robu, J.D. Larson, Y. Deng, L.A. Schimmenti, L. B.M. Ellis, C. M. Verfaillie, M. Hammerschmidt, S. A. Farber, and S. C. Ekker, 2006. Genome-wide reverse genetics framework to identify novel functions of the vertebrate secretome. PLOS Genetics 1: e104.

Sivasubbu, S., D. Balciunas, A.E. Davidson, M.A Pickart, S.B. Hermanson, K.J. Wangensteen, D.C. Wolbrink and Stephen C. Ekker, 2006. Gene breaking transposon mutagenesis reveals an essential role for histone H2afza in zebrafish larval development. Mechanisms of Development 123:513-529.

Klee, E.W., K.J. Shim, M.A. Pickart, S.C. Ekker, and L.B.M. Ellis, 2005. AMOD: a morpholino oligonucleotide selection tool. Nucleic Acids Research 33: W506-W511.

Eckfeldt, C.E., E.M. Mendenhall, C.M. Flynn, T.F. Wang, M.A. Pickart, S.M. Grindle, S.C. Ekker, C.M. Verfaillie, 2005. Functional analysis of human hematopeietic stem cell gene expression using zebrafish. PLoS Biology 3: e254, 1-10.

Pickart, M.A., S. Sivasubbu, A.L. Nielsen, S. Shiram, R.A. King, and S.C. Ekker, 2004. Functional genomics tools for the Analysis of zebrafish pigment. Pigment Cell Research 17:461-470.

Pickart, M.A., 2002. Radiation and drug responses of bioengineered stratified epithelial tissues. Doctoral Dissertation: University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Bock, J.M., M.A. Pickart, J.J. Pink, and P.M. Harari. 1999. Modulation of tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis via polyamine depletion in H&N squamous cell carcinomas. Radiation Research 152:604-610.

Aizencang, G., P. Harari, G. Buldain, L. Guerra, M. Pickart, P. Hernandez, and B. Frydman. 1998. Antiproliferative effects of N1, N4-dibenzlputrescine in human and rodent tumor cells. Cellular and Molecular Biology 44:615-625.

Auchter, R.M., M.A. Pickart, G.A. Nash, R.P. Qu, and P.M. Harari. 1996. Growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma xenografts with the polyamine analog BE4444. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 122:977-981.

Harari, P.M., M.A. Pickart, L. Contreras, D.G. Petereit, H.S. Basu, and L.J. Marton. 1995. Slowing proliferation in head and neck tumors: in vitro growth inhibitory effects of the polyamine analog BE-4-4-4-4 in human squamous cell carcinomas. International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics 32:687-694.

Petereit, D.G., P.M. Harari, L. Contreras, M.A. Pickart, A.K. Verma, E.W. Gerner, and T.J. Kinsella. 1994. Combining polyamine depletion with radiation therapy for rapidly dividing head and neck tumors: strategies for improved locoregional control. International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics 28:891-898.

Harari, P.M., L. Contreras, M.A. Pickart, M.A. Ritter, and T.J. Kinsella. 1993. Modulation of proliferation kinetics in human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 119:738-742.

BOOK CHAPTERS/REVIEWS.

Harari, P.M., M.A. Pickart, J.M. Buatti, and E.W. Gerner. 1996. Polyamine modulation of response to radiation and hyperthermia. In Critical Roles of Polyamines in Cancer: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Approaches, ed. K. Nishioka, 191-218. Austin: R.G. Landes Company and Chapman & Hall.

Harari, P.M., L. Contreras, M.A. Pickart, M.A. Ritter, and T.J. Kinsella. 1993. Slowing growth kinetics in human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. In Prediction of Response in Radiation Therapy: Radiosensitivity and Repopulation, ed. B. Paliwal, J. Fowler, T. Kinsella, and D. Herbert, 372-379. New York: AIP, Inc.