Biography
Dr. Gardiner received her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. She completed postdoctoral training at the University of New Mexico, Department of Neurosciences, before joining the faculty of Cell Biology and Physiology in 2018.
Personal Statement
My research programs are focused on understanding post-transcriptional mechanisms that impact embryonic development, substance abuse, and cancer. Post-transcriptional regulators, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), control the expression of a vast number of neuronal genes through the regulation of processes such as mRNA splicing, stability, localization, and translation. Much of my work has concentrated on defining the regulatory regions and mechanisms that direct these processes. Recent projects include describing the molecular competition between a miRNA and an RBP for control of genes important in synaptic plasticity and addiction, exploring the function of two RBPs, HuD and KSRP, in their control of genes critical for neuronal development and function, and identifying miRNAs in maternal circulation that are associated with alcohol consumption. Currently, I am studying the contribution of miRNAs, including miR-150-5p, a negative regulator of angiogenesis and the blood brain barrier, to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). miR-150-5p is significantly increased in the developing and adolescent cortices of animals prenatally exposed to alcohol, inhibiting endothelial-specific transcription factors, adherens and tight junction proteins, and other genes important for vascular function. Further investigation will provide an understanding of miRNA-mediated mechanisms in regulating the structure and function of the brain vasculature following prenatal alcohol exposure. In addition, I am investigating the role of KSRP in glioblastoma multiforme. KSRP expression is significantly associated with prolonged survival of glioblastoma patients. Next-generation sequencing of KSRP targets in the cortex revealed novel long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs, many of which are altered in GBM. These ncRNA targets regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further studies will provide insight about their regulation and the tumor suppressive role of KSRP in GBM and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Areas of Specialty
Gene expression, post-transcriptional regulation, non-coding RNAs, RNA-binding proteins, microRNAs
Gender
Female
Research
Dr. Gardiner’s research programs are focused on understanding post-transcriptional mechanisms that impact embryonic development, substance abuse, and cancer. Post-transcriptional regulators, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), control the expression of a vast number of neuronal genes through the regulation of processes such as mRNA splicing, stability, localization, and translation. Much of her work has concentrated on defining the regulatory regions and mechanisms that direct these processes. Recent projects include describing the molecular competition between a miRNA and an RBP for control of genes important in synaptic plasticity and addiction, and exploring the function of two RBPs, HuD and KSRP, in their control of genes critical for neuronal development and function. Currently, she is studying tumor suppressive functions of KSRP in glioblastoma multiforme and the contribution of miR-150-5p, a negative regulator of angiogenesis and the blood brain barrier, to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
miR-150 is a well-characterized miRNA that is expressed in the brain, and specifically in endothelial cells, during development. miR-150 is a known regulator of angiogenesis, and it is upregulated in the developing cortex in our model of prenatal alcohol exposure. We are working to identify vascular targets of miR-150 and to determine its effect on the developing cortical vasculature during prenatal alcohol exposure.
KSRP is a multifunctional RBP whose expression is significantly associated with prolonged survival of glioblastoma patients. We have identified novel KSRP-regulated miRNA and long non-coding RNA targets in the cortex. Ongoing studies are aimed at understanding how KSRP interacts with and regulates its various targets in glioblastoma cells and elucidating its tumor suppressive effects.
