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Dr. Michael A. Pickart
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Brief Interests: Comparative and Functional Genomics, Bioinformatics and Biological Databases, Zebrafish, Tissue Engineering, Chemical Genetics, Antisense Oligonucleotides, Skin and Pigment Cell Biology, Oral Cancer Biology, Stem Cell Biology, and Teaching and Learning Research.
| BIO-101: Introductory Biology BIO-132: Human Biology BIO-235: Molecular Cell Biology II BIO-358: Introductory Pharmacology BIO-370: Biotechnology BIO-400: Special Topics: Biotechnology BIO-470: Advanced Biotechnology BIO-489: Advanced Biology Experience BIO-493: Bioinformatics Practicum |
By appointment or see schedule posted outside office. |
My educational mission is integrate biotechnological innovations in areas including genomics, personalized medicine, tissue engineering, and bioinformatics into highly interdisciplinary research and curricular experiences designed to prepare the Midwest’s biotechnology work force and improve science literacy and critical thinking skills for all students. Activities toward this end include:
Research Projects: My primary research goal is to understand the genetic networks underlying normal development, plasticity, and disease processes of skin cells and skin tumors. Functional genomics is the primary approach used to study these processes in natural and engineered epithelial tissues with additional approaches from the disciplines of bioinformatics, genetics, molecular biology, tissue engineering, developmental biology, pharmacology, and oncology. Application of basic research findings from these studies impact ongoing technological development for chemical genetic drug discovery approaches, genotoxicity surveillance, cell reprogramming, and improved artificial tissues.
Life Sciences Learning Community Curriculum: The purpose of this linked courses community is to support a culture of research throughout the curriculum that provides students direct opportunities to participate in research, journal club activities (BIO400), and presentations. Through a series of progressively involved course requirements or electives, students become active in research. BIO489 allows students to develop a research project through interactions in collaborative research teams. The teams are “laddered” meaning that students of all academic levels and experience participate with more advanced students providing leadership and mentoring for less experienced students. Thus, students participate on teams at skill-appropriate levels and advance at their own pace. Those who have gained leadership skills through previous LSLC participation become team leaders and formally enroll in BIO470 Advanced Biotechnology or BIO493 Bioinformatics Practicum to complete a capstone project.
Genomics Technology Access Center (GTAC) Participation: GTAC is an open access genomics screening core facility that I direct. GTAC is designed to support highly collaborative research and educational initiatives as well as provide contract genomics services to partners/clients. Students become involved in opportunities with other academic (e.g. UW-River Falls), research institutes (e.g. National Institutes of Health and the Institute for Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India) and business partners (e.g. Genome Technologies). Many of GTAC’s projects are delegated for independent student research projects (both paid and volunteer) and or incorporated into curriculum that I teach such as BIO370 Biotechnology. GTAC facilities and resources include:
- Zebrafish Unit: over 1000 sq foot zebrafish animal housing and research lab in room 020 JHSA that includes resources for microinjection, microscopic fluorescent imaging, small molecule screening, and antisense-mediated knockdowns.
- Tissue Culture Unit: Housed in room 147 JHSA, the tissue culture unit is equipped with CO2 incubators, biosafety cabinet,and inverted compound microscopes to support growth of human tissues as monolayer cultures and 3-dimensional tissues.
- Genomics Unit: Also housed in room 147 JHSA, the genomics unit is equipped for molecular and biochemical analysis and includes nucleic acid agarose gel electrophoresis and transfer equipment, PAGE gel electrophoresis and transfer equipment, hybridization ovens, BioRad Versadoc Imaging System, BioRad Real Time PCR system and thermocyclers, 2D and sequencing gel apparatus, ABI 310 single capillary gel electrophoresis, and a high-throughput vertical slab get automated system (LiCor 4300L).
- Ph.D., Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2002.
- M.S., Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994.
- B.S., Computer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1991.
Council on Undergraduate Research, Minnesota Academy of Science, Minnesota Science Teachers Association, Radiation Research Society, and Society for Biomolecular Sciences.
Pickart, M.A., E. W. Klee, A. L. Nielson, S. Sivasubbu, E. M. Mendenhall, B. R. Bill, E. Chen, C. E. Eckfeldt, M. Knowlton, M.E. Robu, J.D. Larson, Y. Deng, L.A. Schimmenti, L. B.M. Ellis, C. M. Verfaillie, M. Hammerschmidt, S. A. Farber, and S. C. Ekker, 2006. Genome-wide reverse genetics framework to identify novel functions of the vertebrate secretome. PLOS Genetics 1: e104.
Sivasubbu, S., D. Balciunas, A.E. Davidson, M.A Pickart, S.B. Hermanson, K.J. Wangensteen, D.C. Wolbrink and Stephen C. Ekker, 2006. Gene breaking transposon mutagenesis reveals an essential role for histone H2afza in zebrafish larval development. Mechanisms of Development 123:513-529.
Klee, E.W., K.J. Shim, M.A. Pickart, S.C. Ekker, and L.B.M. Ellis, 2005. AMOD: a morpholino oligonucleotide selection tool. Nucleic Acids Research 33: W506-W511.
Eckfeldt, C.E., E.M. Mendenhall, C.M. Flynn, T.F. Wang, M.A. Pickart, S.M. Grindle, S.C. Ekker, C.M. Verfaillie, 2005. Functional analysis of human hematopeietic stem cell gene expression using zebrafish. PLoS Biology 3: e254, 1-10.
Pickart, M.A., S. Sivasubbu, A.L. Nielsen, S. Shiram, R.A. King, and S.C. Ekker, 2004. Functional genomics tools for the Analysis of zebrafish pigment. Pigment Cell Research 17:461-470.
Pickart, M.A., 2002. Radiation and drug responses of bioengineered stratified epithelial tissues. Doctoral Dissertation: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Bock, J.M., M.A. Pickart, J.J. Pink, and P.M. Harari. 1999. Modulation of tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis via polyamine depletion in H&N squamous cell carcinomas. Radiation Research 152:604-610.
Aizencang, G., P. Harari, G. Buldain, L. Guerra, M. Pickart, P. Hernandez, and B. Frydman. 1998. Antiproliferative effects of N1, N4-dibenzlputrescine in human and rodent tumor cells. Cellular and Molecular Biology 44:615-625.
Auchter, R.M., M.A. Pickart, G.A. Nash, R.P. Qu, and P.M. Harari. 1996. Growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma xenografts with the polyamine analog BE4444. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 122:977-981.
Harari, P.M., M.A. Pickart, L. Contreras, D.G. Petereit, H.S. Basu, and L.J. Marton. 1995. Slowing proliferation in head and neck tumors: in vitro growth inhibitory effects of the polyamine analog BE-4-4-4-4 in human squamous cell carcinomas. International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics 32:687-694.
Petereit, D.G., P.M. Harari, L. Contreras, M.A. Pickart, A.K. Verma, E.W. Gerner, and T.J. Kinsella. 1994. Combining polyamine depletion with radiation therapy for rapidly dividing head and neck tumors: strategies for improved locoregional control. International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics 28:891-898.
Harari, P.M., L. Contreras, M.A. Pickart, M.A. Ritter, and T.J. Kinsella. 1993. Modulation of proliferation kinetics in human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 119:738-742.
BOOK CHAPTERS/REVIEWS.
Harari, P.M., M.A. Pickart, J.M. Buatti, and E.W. Gerner. 1996. Polyamine modulation of response to radiation and hyperthermia. In Critical Roles of Polyamines in Cancer: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Approaches, ed. K. Nishioka, 191-218. Austin: R.G. Landes Company and Chapman & Hall.
Harari, P.M., L. Contreras, M.A. Pickart, M.A. Ritter, and T.J. Kinsella. 1993. Slowing growth kinetics in human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. In Prediction of Response in Radiation Therapy: Radiosensitivity and Repopulation, ed. B. Paliwal, J. Fowler, T. Kinsella, and D. Herbert, 372-379. New York: AIP, Inc.