Signal Transduction, Cytoskeleton, Early Development, Neural Implants, Bioimaging, Nanoparticles
David G. Capco, Ph.D., explores the signal transduction machinery that regulates cell function with an emphasis on signaling agents which regulate the cell cycle. The advent of cloned agricultural animals such as "Dolly" have resulted in a new focus of interest in the regulation of the mechanisms that activate the egg and start the program of early development in the zygote that we are focusing on. In eggs arrested at meiotic metaphase II there are many calcium- dependent enzymes that have a role in re-engineering the cell such as protein kinase C (i.e., PKC) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (i.e., CaM Kinase II). My current research employs mammalian oocytes, eggs, and embryos to investigate specific roles for PKC in the development of mammals as a model to understand human development. In this system PKC acts to mediate exocytosis, cytokinesis, and cytoskeletal organization. In addition, CaM Kinase II which is tightly associated with the meiotic spindle causally mediates the transit into anaphase II as well as regulating several other key pathways. Additionally, the laboratory is investigating mechanisms that regulate cytoskeletal organization and assembly for the actin filament and intermediate filament networks. These studies revealed an intermediate filament network that is important for normal implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall of the female. This special network is regulated by cytoplasmic signaling agents including PKC. The regulation of beta- catenin in the assembly of first cell adhesion event in the embryo, that is embryonic compaction, is also a target of current studies. He collaborates in multi-disciplinary projects including long term implantable electrodes and in Bioimaging. Although the current market for nanomaterials is small and, currently, their concentration may not be high enough in the environment to cause human health or environmental problems, this market is increasing rapidly and the discharge of nanomaterials to environment in the near future could be significant as manufacturing costs decrease and new applications are discovered. The accumulation of nanomaterials in cells may have significant environmental and human impacts. However, at present, very little is known about the fate, transport, transformation and toxicity of these man-made nanomaterials in the environment. This investigation considers the physical, chemical, and biological implications of nanomaterial fate and toxicity in systems that will provide insight into the potential for nanomaterials to be present and of health concern in finished drinking water.