Wanda O'Neal
Research Assistant Professor of Medicine
Degrees
BS:
(1984) North Dakota State U
Fargo ND
MS:
(1987) North Dakota State U.
Fargo ND
PhD:
(1993) Baylor College of Med
Houston TX
Office:
7011 Thurston-Bowles
Phone: 919-962-9866
Fax: 919-966-6821
email:
woneal@med.unc.edu
Research Interests:
- We are interested in studying the barriers to gene transfer in the lung epithelium, specifically the role of the glycocalyx as a barrier to prevent contact of gene transfer vectors to the cells. We are concentrating on the transmembrane mucins as important components of the glycocalyx layer. Mice with mutations in two of these mucin genes are either being evaluated (Muc1) or generated by knockout technology (Muc4).
- Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a disease similar to CF in that it leads to chronic lung infection. However, the mechanism of disease is different. PCD patients are lacking functioning cilia so that they have defective mucociliary clearance. We are studying the genetics of PCD and have characterized a dynein heavy chain protein, involved in the structure of the cilia, that is lacking in a patient with PCD. Mice are being bred with mutations in the dynein genes in order to generate a model for the human condition.
- The CFTR protein is known to interact with a variety of proteins within the cell. We are using RNA microarrays to evaluate the effect of CFTR mutations on the functions of thousands of genes simultaneously. We hope to identify new therapeutic targets for CF lung disease by discovering genes whose functions are altered by the presence of mutant CFTR.
Recent Publications:
1999-2000 pulications/submissions
Lazarowski, E., Rochelle, L. G., O'Neal, W. K., Ribeiro, C. P., Grubb, B. R., Harden, T. K., and Boucher, R. C. 2001. Cloning and functional characterization of two murine uridine nucleotide receptors that regulate gastointestinal ion transport. J. Pharm. Exp. Ther. (accepted).
Morral, N., O'Neal, W. K., Rice, K., Leland, M., Piedra, P. A., Aguilar-Cordova, E., Carey, K. D., Beaudet, A. L., and Langston, C. Lethal toxicity, severe endothelial injury, and a threshold effect with high doses of an adenoviral vector in baboons (in press).
O'Neal, W. K., Rose, E., Velji, R., Zhou, H., Quinones, J., Langston, C., Rice, K., Carey, D., Beaudet, A. L. Multiple advantages of alpha-fetoprotein as a marker for in vivo gene transfer . Mol. Ther. (in press).
O'Neal, W. K., Zhou, H., Morral, N., Langston, C., Parks, R., Graham, F., Kochanek, S., Beaudet, A. L. 2000. Toxicity associated with repeated administration of first-generation adenoviral vectors is not induced by a helper-dependent vector. Mol. Med. 6:179-195.
Morris, A. P., J. M. Ball, C. Q.-Y. Zeng, J. K. Scott, W. K. O'Neal, and M. K. Estes. 1999. NSP4 elicits age-dependent diarrhea and Ca2+ mediated I- efflux into intestinal crypts of CF mice. Am. J. Physiol (GI Liver Phys.) 40:G431-G444.
Morral, N., O'Neal, W. K , Rice, K., Leland, M., Kaplan, J., Piedra ,P. A., Zhou, H., Parks, R., Velji, R., Quinones, J., Aguilar-Cordova, E., Wadsworth, S., Graham, F., Kochanek, S., Langston, C., Carey, K. D., Beaudet, A. L. 1999. Long-term transgene expression in nonhuman primates using a gutless adenoviral vector. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 96:12816-12821.
Selected AbstractsLazarowski, E., Grubb, B. R., O'Neal, W. K., Ribeiro, C. P., Burch, N., Boucher, R. C. 2000. Regulation of gastrointestinal ion secretory responses by uridine nucleotide receptors. North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference.
Morse, K. M., O'Neal, W. K., Patel, M., Davis, C. W., and Olsen, J. C. 2000. An Ecdysone-inducible expression system for use with retroviral vectors. Mol. Ther. 1:S186-187.
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