Elizabeth A. Connor
Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Development
Contact Info
Phone: 413-545-4855
Office: 358 Morrill II South
Education
B.S., St. Lawrence University, 1977
Ph.D., University of Vermont School of Medicine, 1982
Postdoctoral
1982-1987, Stanford University
Research Interests
Neuromuscular Junction: Development and Maintenance
Communication between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber takes place at a synapse, the neuromuscular junction. Here both the neuron and muscle fiber are specialized in molecular and structural composition to form the "machinery" required for successful synaptic transmission. Our laboratory is interested in determining the factors involved in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction.
Our current aim is to determine the contribution of glial Schwann cells and extracellular matrix molecules to nerve terminal stability at the frog neuromuscular junction. The frog neuromuscular junction is a powerful system in which to study synapse stability since nerve terminals studied in the absence of target muscle can reveal nonmuscle stabilization interactions normally masked in the presence of muscle. Further, the stability of target-deprived nerve terminals can be manipulated to test for stabilization factors using either mature nerve terminals that are stabilized at synaptic sites or regenerated terminals that are unstable in the absence of muscle. Using in vivo repeated imaging of living frog nerve terminals, fluorescent probes, activity dependent dyes, and confocal microscopy, we are testing the contribution of the Schwann cells and matrix molecules in stability of nerve terminals. These experiments will provide needed insight into the nerve-target interactions governing the differentiation, growth, and maintenance of synapses.
Representative Publications
Duneavsky, A. and E.A. Connor. 2000. F-Actin is Concentrated in Nonrelease Domains at Frog Neuromuscular Junctions. J. Neurosci. 20: 6007-6012.
Dunaevsky, A. and E.A. Connor. 1998. Stability of frog motor nerve terminals in the absence of target muscle fibers. Dev. Biol.
Connor, E.A. 1997. Developmental regulation of interstitial cell density in skeletal muscle. J. Neurocytol. 26: 23-32.
Dunaevsky, A. and E.A. Connor. 1995. Long term maintenance of presynaptic function in the absence of target muscle fibers. J. Neurosci. 15: 6137-6
Connor, E.A. and M.A. Smith. 1994. Retrograde signaling in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. J. Neurobiology 25: 722-739.
Connor, E.A., K. Qin, H. Yankelev, and D. DeStefano. 1994. Synaptic activity and connective tissue remodeling in denervated frog muscle. J. Cell Biol. 127: 1435-1445.
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Current News
- About
- Undergraduate
- Advising
- Major Requirements
- Major Requirements Checklist (PDF)
- Recommended Course Sequences
- Courses Approved as Major Electives
- Declaring a Biology Major
- Integrative Experience
- Minor Requirements
- Departmental Honors
- Study Abroad
- Course Catalog
- Course Offerings 2021-22
- Learning Goals
- Research Opportunities
- Awards & Scholarships
- Residential Programs
- Undergrad Handbook (PDF)
- Petitions and Forms
- 2022 Senior Celebration
- Majors Week
- Graduate
- Faculty
- Research
- Facilities
- Alumni
- Make a Gift…