Michael Paul
Myers, Ph.D.
Lecturer, Chemistry
and Biochemistry Department
Office:
PH2-222 phone: 562-985-4936
Fax: 562-985-8557
Email: mmyers2@csulb.edu
http://www.csulb.edu/~mmyers2
Education
Ph.D.
in Physiology, 1998
Department
of Pharmacology and Physiology
University
of
Advisor:
Per Stampe, Ph.D.
Project: Structure and Function of Potassium Channels
M.S.
in Science Teaching and Curriculum, 1991
Project: Problem Solving in Chemistry
B.A.
Cum Laude in Comprehensive Science
with a concentration in Chemistry, 1987
Biographical
Born,
Currently
reside in
Professional Research
Experience:
1998-2001: Post Graduate Research Physiologist, UCLA
School Los Angeles , California
Advisor: Professor of Physiology and Physiology Executive Vice-Chair, Diane
M. Papazian .
Project: Biogenesis of Potassium Channels
1988-1992: Laboratory Technician III and IV, Department of
Medicine,
Projects: Study of Left Ventricular
Dysfunction (SOLVD); Obesity and Endocrine Function
Teaching
University Lecturer- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Upper Division Courses: Biological
Chemistry (CHEM 441A – first of a 2
semester sequence of biochemistry for science majors) and Survey of
Biochemistry (CHEM 302– second of a 2
semester sequence of general chemistry for nursing majors)
Lower Division Courses: Chemistry
Explorations (CHEM 105–chemistry for pre-service
teachers in the Integrated Teacher Education Program) and Survey of General
and Organic Chemistry (CHEM 202– first of
a 2 semester sequence of general chemistry for nursing majors)
Physiology Instructor in Cellular, Nerve and Muscle, and Renal
Physiology at the
Neurobiology Teaching
Assistant
at the University of
High School Chemistry and
General Science Teacher at
Fellowships and Awards
Innovations
in Teaching Award Winner, CSULB, 2001
Axon
Instruments Travel Award Winner, Gordon
Research Conference, 1999
Department
of Physiology Travel Award Winner, Biophysical Society Annual Meeting, 1999
UCLA
Cellular Neurobiology Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1998
NIH
Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1998
Student
Leadership Award,
Outstanding
Graduate Student Teaching Award,
CRC
Press Award for Excellence in Chemistry,
Baush and Lomb Science Award, 1983
Memberships
American Chemical Society, Biophysical
Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Society for
Neurosciences, Project Kaleidoscope
Research Interests
Ion channels, chemistry
education, protein biogenesis, neurobiology, neuropharmacology,
molecular biology
Current Research Interests
Ion Channel Biogenesis: Shaker is a prototypical ion
channel (proteins that allow the transport of ions across cell membranes) and a
member of the superfamily of voltage-dependent cation channels crucial to the excitability of nerve and
muscle tissue. The inquiry of these potassium
channels recently resulted in a “dream
come true for biophysicists” (Armstrong, C. Science
280 56, 1998), with the solving
of the first crystal structure for a K+ channel in bacteria that was
subsequently mapped to Shaker through toxin interactions (Doyle, D.A., et al., Science 280 69, 1998). Little is
known about the biogenesis of these proteins and their intracellular fate. The long-term goal of my research is to
elucidate the biogenesis and protein turnover in vivo of ion channels. I have already investigated the role of glycosylation in Shaker turnover (Khanna, R. et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 276 36, 2001). Protein
degradation is an important enterprise.
It is the means by which cells not only control the activities of normal
proteins, but avoid the potentially toxic effects of defective ones as
well. Using in
vitro translation / translocation systems and transfected
cell lines to express wild type and mutant channels, I plan to continue to investigate
the cell surface expression and subsequent degradation of these channel
proteins. The relevance of this work to
the understanding of disease is evidenced by the fact that disruption of
channel biogenesis is involved in the pathology of Cystic Fibrosis (a hereditary
disease of the exocrine glands), LQT Syndrome (a fatal heart condition) and
SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Chemistry Education: In an effort to continue to improve chemistry
education, I have recently used my background in curriculum development and
teaching to investigate student learning in general chemistry. To facilitate this goal, I have joined
Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL),
which is funded by a variety of sources including the National Science
Foundation. PKAL is an informal national
alliance working to build strong learning environments for undergraduate
students in mathematics, engineering and the various fields of science. I have implemented many of its proposed
reforms in my teaching. In particular, I
have used inquiry based laboratories in a chemistry course for pre-service
teachers, Chemistry Explorations (CHEM
105). My other current research interest
in chemistry education deals with developing an assessment plan for a general
chemistry course for nursing majors. It
is hoped that this study will improve the teaching and curriculum in the
introductory chemistry course for pre-service nurses. Given the projected drastic shortage of
nurses facing
Publications
*These authors contributed
equally to this work.
Myers, Michael P. and Stampe, Per. A
Point Mutation in the Maxi-K Channel Clone dSlo Creates a High Affinity Site for Charybdotoxin. Neuropharmacology, 2000; 39(1):11-20.
Myers, Michael P. Yang, Jay,
and Stampe, Per. Visualization and Functional
Analysis of a Maxi-K Channel (mSlo) Fused To Green
Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Electronic
Journal of Biotechnology, Vol.2 No.3,
Presentations
at Meetings
Myers, Michael P.,
Myers, Michael P.,
Myers, Michael P.,
Silverman, William R., Saleh, Mazen,
and Papazian, Diane M.
Shaker K+
Channel Targeting and Insertion in ER Membranes. Gordon
Research Conference on Mechanisms of Membrane Transport,
Myers,
Michael P., Silverman, William R., Saleh, Mazen, and Papazian, Diane M. Shaker K+ Channel
Targeting and Insertion in ER Membranes. Biophysical Journal (Annual
Meeting Abstracts) 1999: 191a.
Myers, Michael P. and Stampe, Per. A Point Mutation in the Maxi-K Channel Clone dSlo Creates a High
Affinity Site for Charybdotoxin. Biophysical Journal (Annual Meeting Abstracts) 1998:
20a.
Myers, Michael P., Yang, Jay, and Stampe,
Per. Visualization and Functional Analysis of a
Cloned Maxi K+ Channel (mSlo)
Fused to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Biophysical Journal (Annual Meeting Abstracts) 1997: 352a.
Myers, Michael and Stampe,
Per. Using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a Reporter Gene For Expression of
Recombinant Maxi K+ Channels in a Mammalian Cell Line. Biophysical Journal (Annual Meeting Abstracts) 1996:
194a.
Current Grants
California Department of Public Policy
CSULB Campus Assessment
Committee Award for "Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes in a Survey
Course of General and Organic Chemistry" - $5,700 in funding for June,
2001 – June, 2002.
National Science Foundation
Participant
in Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) grant to Pomona
College to study use of a mathematics based diagnostic exam in general
chemistry – total funding - $4,000 over 2 years starting in June of 2001.
University & Community Service
Science Olympics
Science
competition for high school science students. State Finals
Event Captain Volunteer for Qualitative Analysis, CSULB, 2000 - present
Geffen Playhouse
Volunteer
Usher for live theatre,