0119 Sutherland Building
Abington, PA 19001
Biography
Educational Background
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of California, Berkeley, 1993-1997
Ph. D. in Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, 1993
B.S. in Biology, Providence College, 1987
Research Interests
I currently have two research projects in my laboratory. The main project studies the role of metalloproteases in embryonic development. We are investigating the expression and function of two different groups of metalloproteases in embryonic development of the sea urchin model system. Using data from the Sea Urchin Genome Project, we have been able to identify several genes in the Matrix Metalloproteinase and Aminopeptidase N families. We are currently examining the temporal and spatial expression patterns of these genes and will soon begin to investigate the function of these proteins in embryonic development.
The second project in my lab is a study performed in collaboration with researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center. We are investigating the effects of the hormone human Chorionic Gonadotropin on breast cancer cells. This hormone reduces the growth of breast cancer cells and it alters the gene expression profile of these cells. We are investigating these effects of the hormone to contribute to other studies examining the possibility of using human Chorionic Gonadotropin to treat breast cancer.
Significant Publications
Ingersoll, E.P. and Pendharkar, N. (2005) Characterization and expression of two matrix metalloproteinase genes during sea urchin development. Gene Expression Patterns 5, 727-732.
Ingersoll, E.P., McDonald,, K.L. and Wilt, F.H., (2003) Ultrastructural localization of spicule matrix proteins in normal and metalloproteinase inhibitor-treated sea urchin primary mesenchyme cells. J. Exp. Zool.300A, 101-112.
Benson, S., Page, L., Ingersoll, E. Rosenthal, E., Dungca, K., and Signor, D. (1999) Developmental characterization of the gene for laminin a-chain in sea urchin embryos. Mechanisms of Development 81, 37-49.
Ingersoll, E.P. and Wilt, F. H. (1998) Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors disrupt spicule formation by primary mesenchyme cells in the sea urchin embryo. Developmental Biology 196, 95-106.
Ingersoll, E.P. and Ettensohn, C.A. (1994) An N-linked carbohydrate-containing extracellular matrix determinant plays a key role in sea urchin gastrulation. Developmental Biology 163, 351-366.
Course taught
BISC 002 Genetics Ecology and Evolution
BIOL 110 Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity
BIOL 230W Molecules and Cells
BMB 400 Molecular Biology of the Gene
BIOL 430 Developmental Biology
BIOL 437 Histology
BIOL 443 Evo-Devo: Evolution of Developmental Mechanisms