Margaret Ryan, M.S.
My scientific journey started at the University of North Carolina at Asheville where I received a B.S. degree in Chemistry. In addition to my studies in Asheville I worked in an environmental quality laboratory analyzing ‘real world’ samples (i.e. water, food, soil, and paint) for heavy metals such as Lead. Serendipitous events directed me to Bucknell University where I continued my education to the M.S. level in Chemistry. My thesis research involved studies toward improving the use of Cisplatin in cancer treatment. Upon graduation from Bucknell I made a daring move and joined the Cell and Developmental Biology department at UNC-School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, NC. It was a sink or swim kind of arrangement. I guess I know how to swim considering I spent six years there as a Research Technician and gain a wealth of knowledge and experience that has prepared me to work at the Jackson Laboratory (JAX). I joined the JAX community in 2007 and am proud to be working as a Research Assistant in Simon John's Lab. In addition to my histological responsibilities and mouse colony management, I am active on projects that have me utilizing Laser Capture Microscopy, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and various other techniques. I am vested in studies to understand how aqueous humor drains from the eye, including cutting edge microscopy techniques to understand the micro-anatomy of the ocular drainage structures. I also contribute to studies to understand early molecular changes in specific cell types during glaucoma. A major perk to working at The Jackson Laboratory is location, location, location. Waking up every morning to ocean breezes and scenic views as well as having Acadia National Park in my backyard is, by my standards, a great way to live.
Publications from previous labs
* Ryan, M.M., Temple, B.R.S., Phillips, S.E & Bankaitis, V.A. (2007) Conformational Dynamics of the Major Yeast Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein Sec14p: Insights into the Mechanism of Phospholipid Exchange and Diseases of Sec14p-like Protein Deficiencies. Mol. Bio. Cell 18 (5), 1928-1942.
* Smirnova, T.I., Chadwick, T.G., Voinov, M.A., Poluektov, O., van Tol, J., Ozarowski, A., Schaaf, G., Ryan, M.M. & Bankaitis, V.A. (2007) Local Polarity and Hydrogen Bonding Inside the Sec14p Phospholipid-binding Cavity: High-Field Multifrequency EPR Studies. Biophys. J. 9 (10), 3686-95.
* Smirnova, T.I., Chadwick, T.G., MacArthur, R., Poluektov, O., Song, L., Ryan, M.M., Schaaf, G. & Bankaitis, V.A. (2006) The Chemistry of Phospholipid Binding by the Saccharomyces Cerevisisiae Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein Sec14p as Determined by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. J. Biol. Chem. 281 (46), 34897-34908.
* Mousley, C.J., Tyeryar, K.R., Ryan, M.M. & Bankaitis, V.A. (2006) Sec14p-like Proteins Regulate Phosphoinositide Homoeostasis and Intracellular Protein and Lipid Trafficking in Yeast. Biochem Soc Trans. 2006 34 (Pt 3), 346-350. Review.
* Routt, S.M., Ryan, M.M., Tyeryar, K.R., Rizzieri, K.E., Mousley, C.J., Roumanie, O., Brennwald, P.J. & Bankaitis, V.A. (2005) Nonclassical PITPs Activate PLD via the Stt4p PtdIns-4-kinase and Modulate Function of Late Stages of Exocytosis in Vegetative Yeast. Traffic 6 (12), 1157-1172.
