Duane Hinton
- Contact
- Stoffer Science HallRm 203G1700 SW College AveTopeka, KS 66621-1117785.670.2165
- Degrees & Certifications
- Washburn University, Bachelor of Arts
- Univ of Kansas Medical Ctr, Doctor of Philosophy
- Teaching
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- BI 100 E, Intro to Biology
- BI 275 A, Human Anatomy
- BI 275 AL1, Human Anatomy
- BI 275 AL2, Human Anatomy
- BI 395 E, Research in Biology
- Scholarly Interests/Activities
Development of the vertebrate limb is a complex example of pattern formation requiring cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and tissue rearrangement. The extensive tissue remodeling required to produce functional digits utilizes a multitude of enzymes and growth factors to eliminate both cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). Specifically, we are interested in understanding how the ECM is degraded during digitation of the developing limb. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of structurally related, zinc-containing enzymes that degrade various components of the extracellular matrix. Recent studies indicated that MMP-2 plays a pro-apoptotic role in several systems. We are interested in the potential role MMP-2 might play during limb formation in the chick. We hypothesize that matrix breakdown precedes and may, in fact, initiate programmed cell death during digitation. In order to test this hypothesis, we are examining the effects of knocking down the expression of MMP-2 enzyme activity by using inhibitory Morpholino antisense oligos.
- Service Interests/Activities
President of the Kansas Academy of Science, 2012
