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Research Description:
Dr. Homanics' laboratory utilizes the latest techniques in molecular genetics and embryo biotechnology to genetically engineer mice with precise modifications in genes of interest. Using gene targeting in embryonic stem cells, he is able to create mice with specific mutations in any known gene. Mice such as these are being used to model complex human diseases and to understand basic issues in biology. Investigations are underway to create mice with defined mutations in genes involved in the GABA neurotransmitter pathway. These mice are proving to be extremely valuable in the study of epilepsy, Angelman syndrome, and disorders of development. In addition, they are providing novel insights into the mechanism(s) of action of alcohol and general anesthetics. Trainees in Dr. Homanics' laboratory have the opportunity to use molecular biology and embryonic stem cell culture techniques to create genetically engineered mice. Such mice are subsequently analyzed using molecular biology, pharmacology, histology, and numerous whole animal behavioral assays.
Education:
B.S. (Animal and Veterinary Science), West Virginia University, 1984
M.S. (Animal Science), University of Kentucky, 1987
Ph.D. (Animal Science), North Carolina State University, 1991
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1991-93
Important Publications:
- Glykys J, Z Peng, D Chandra, GE Homanics, CR Houser, I Mody. A novel naturally occuring GABAA receptor partnership with high sensitivity to ethanol. Nature Neuroscience 10:40-48, 2007
- Sonner JM, DF Werner, FP Elsen, Y Xing, M Liao, RA Harris, NL Harrison, MS Fanselow, EI Eger and GE Homanics. Effect of isoflurane and other potent inhaled anesthetics on minimum alveolar concentration, learning, and the righting reflex in mice engineered to express α1 γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors unresponsive to isoflurane. Anesthesiology 106:107-113, 2007
- Chandra D, F Jia, J Liang, Z Peng, A Suryanarayanan, DF Werner, I Spigelman, CR Houser, RW Olsen, NL Harrison and GE Homanics. GABAA receptor α4 subunits mediate extrasynaptic inhibition in thalamus and dentate gyrus and the action of gaboxadol. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103:15230-15235, 2006
- Skvorak K, B Vissel and GE Homanics. Production of conditional point mutant knockin mice. Genesis 44:345-353, 2006
- Werner DF, YA Blednov, CM Borghese, LA Henderson, OJ Ariwodola, Y Silberman, E Logan, RB Berry, DB Matthews, JL Weiner, NL Harriso, RA Harris and GE Homanics. Knockin mice harboring ethanol insensitive alpha1-containing GABAA receptors display selective alterations in behavioral responses to ethanol. Journal of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics 319:219-227, 2006
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