Emtage, Lesley
 

Emtage, Lesley

Curriculum Vitae

Assistant Professor
Biology

Phone: 718-262-2715
Office Location: AC-4E03E
LEmtage@york.cuny.edu

Education

Degree Institution Field Dates
PhD  Columbia University  Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics   
BS  University of Pittsburgh  Chemistry and Music   
My work has focused on cellular processes in neurons. My main research interests focus on identifying and characterizing factors that influence the formation of unfolded protein aggregates, using the Huntingtin protein expressed in S. cerevisiae as a model system. Unfolded protein aggregates are believed to be the fundamental cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons’s and Huntington’s. The techniques that I use to address these questions include genetics, molecular biology, and quantitative fluorescence microscopy.

Areas of Expertise

Cell and Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology
Genetics

Articles in Field Of Expertise

L Emtage, S Aziz-Zaman, O Padovan, R Horvitz, C Fang-Yen, N Ringstad. "IRK-1 potassium channels mediate peptidergic inhibition of Caenorhabditis elegans serotonin neurons via a Go signaling pathway." J. Neuroscience. 32(46) 2012: 16285-16295.

A Bounoutas, J Kratz, L Emtage, C Ma, K Nguyen, and M Chalfie. "Microtubule depolymerization in Caenorhabditis elegans touch receptor neurons reduces gene expression through a p38 MAPK pathway." PNAS. 108 2011: 3982-3987.

L Emtage, H Chang, R Tiver, C Rongo. "MAGI-1 modulates AMPA receptor synaptic localization and behavioral plasticity in response to prior experience." PLoS One. 4 2009: e4613.

L Emtage, G Gu, E Hartwieg, M Chalfie. "Extracellular proteins organize the mechanosensory channel complex in C. elegans touch receptor neurons." Neuron. 44 2004: 795-807..

Presented Papers, Lectures, and Exhibitions and Performances

" The unfolded Huntingtin protein inclusion in S. cerevisiae is a non-membrane bound fluid compartment with novel properties " 2017: City College Biology Colloquium.

" MAGI-1 modulates behavioral plasticity and glutamate receptor synaptic localization " 2008: C. elegans Neuronal Development, Synaptic Function, and Behavior Meeting.

" MAGI-1 modulates behavioral plasticity and glutamate receptor synaptic localization " 2007: CSHL Meeting on Synapses: From Molecules to Circuits and Behavior.

" ceMAGI-1 modulates behavioral plasticity and glutamate receptor synaptic localization " 2006: Society for Neuroscience.

" The evolving model of mechanosensory transduction in C. elegans " 2005: East Coast Nerve Network, invited speaker.

" Mechanosensory complex interactions with the extracellular matrix " 2002: East Coast Worm Meeting.

Professional Honors, Prizes, Fellowships

National Academies Education Fellow in the Sciences: 2015-2016.

Charles and Johanna Busch Fellowship: 2007-2008.

American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship: 2005-2007.

National Science Foundation Summer Training Fellowship: .

Richard King Mellon Foundation Scholar: .

Grants-In-Aid

National Institute of Health, Cellular mechanisms underlying detoxification of mutant Huntingtin. 2016-2019: $457,359.

Department of Defense, High-Sensitivity Imaging, with Drs. L. Levinger and I. Arsov. 2017: $508,473.50.

PSC-CUNY Research Award, Identifying factors that contribute to the aggregation and removal of mutant Huntingtin. 2017-2108: $3,500.

PSC-CUNY Research Award, Investigation into the role of chaperone protein Hsp42 in Huntingtin protein aggregation. 2015-2106: $3,500.

Pace University, Small heat shock proteins are required for the formation of polyQ-Huntingtin inclusion bodies. 2013-2014: $1,500.

American Heart Association, Characterization of MAG-1, a Synaptic Scaffolding Protein Required for Glutamate Receptor Localization. 2005-2007: $80,000.

Other Professional Activities and Public Service

American Society for Cell Biology member: 2014 - present.

Society for Developmental Biology member: 2015 - present.

Reviewer, CourseSourse: 2016.

Judge, Junior Mathematics, Science and Humanities Symposium: 2015 - 2018.

Judge, TriBeta National Biological Honor Society NE-1 Convention: 2014.