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Mark Gilchrist
Area of Expertise
Cell Biology and Immunology
Transcriptional Networks
Inflammatory Disease
Current Position
Senior Research Scientist
Degree
Ph.D., Experimental Medicine, University of Alberta, 2003.
Research Interests
The immune system is vital to maintaining host integrity. Macrophages and mast cells are key participants in regulating immunity and temporal cascades of transcription drive their activation. However, the full extent of this transcriptional control remains enigmatic. I have recently identified the cAMP-response element (Cre) binding protein/activating transcription factor (CREB/ATF) family of transcription factors as having novel regulatory effects on the inflammatory response.
My research is focused on exploring the extent, specificity and underlying mechanisms of CREB, CREM and ATF3 control in the evolving immune response. My major areas of interest are in the following areas: Structure and functional analysis of ATF3; CREB transcriptional network in macrophages; Role of ATF3 and CREM in mast cell maturation and activation; Systems biology of CREB/ATF transcription factors in sepsis and allergic inflammation.
By identifying genes that are deregulated and controlled in these immune phenotypes by CREB/ATF TFs and determining the specific mechanisms involved in this transcriptional control, I hope to define fundamental homeostatic mechanisms that regulate inflammation.
Selected Publications
Gilchrist M, Thorsson V, Li B, Rust A, Kennedy K, Bolouri H, Aderem A. Systems biology approaches identify ATF3 as a negative regulator of Toll-like receptor 4. 2006. Nature. 441: 173-178
Gilchrist M., McCauley, S.D. and Befus A.D. Expression, localization and regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in human mast cell lines: Effects on leukotriene production. 2004. Blood. 104: 462-469
Gilchrist M., Hesslinger C., and Befus A.D. Tetrahydrobiopterin: Critical factor in the production and role of nitric oxide in mast cells. 2003. J Biol Chem 278: 50607-14
Gilchrist, M., Savoie, M., Nohara, O., Wills, F.L., Wallace, J.L., and Befus, A.D. Nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production in in-vivo derived mast cells. 2002. J Leuk Biol. 71: 618-24
Gilchrist, M., Forsythe, P., Kulka, M., and Befus, A.D. Mast cells and nitric oxide: Control of production, mechanisms of response. 2001 Int Immunopharmacol. 1: 1525-1541
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