About: chamberlin

Website

http://www.biosci.ohiou.edu/faculty/chamberlin

Profile

Physiology and BiochemistryMy research interests are centered around bioenergetics with an emphasis on the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism during insect development. Programmed cell death (PCD) is an essential process for the removal of obsolete cells during animal development and it is now clear from studies on mammalian cells that mitochondria play a key role in PCD. It is not known, however, whether mitochondria play a similar role in the PCD that occurs during insect molting and metamorphosis. Current research in my laboratory focuses on the changes in insect mitochondrial function during the PCD of the midgut epithelium of the caterpillar, the tobacco hornworm. Projects in the lab include determining developmental changes in the mitochondrial cytochrome c content, the kinetics of mitochondrial enzymes, and the control of oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, studies are underway to determine if the molting hormones, the ecdysteroids, are ultimately responsible for the PCD of the midgut and the alteration of midgut mitochondrial function.