Research Junction Connecting Faculty Across Campus

1.     What is your educational background?

 

I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana to obtain my Bachelor’s in Chemistry/Biochemistry. I then moved to Los Angeles, California for my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. I focused on Ras driven transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. For my postdoctoral fellowship, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts and trained at Harvard University where I specialized in Cancer Biology, Signal Transduction and preclinical drug studies in a Ras-driven tumor type associated with the loss of a tumor suppressor called NF1.

 

2.     Where is your hometown?

 

I am from a medium-sized city in the Midwest, Indianapolis, Indiana. Hometown of Eli Lilly, the founder of Eli Lilly & Co.

 

3.     Why did you choose MUSC?

 

I wanted to be part of an academic campus centered on collaboration with leaders in both basic and translational research fields. I also wanted to live in a city nestled with several academic institutions. MUSC was a perfect fit. Being quite a small town compared to its competition, MUSC has unparalleled resources available to its Investigators to assist in their success. It’s continually inspiring to work with so many passionate and dedicated faculty members who are eager and open to share resources, ideas and collaborate together for the good of science and medicine.

 

4.     What are your current research interests and how did you become interested in this field?

 

Our lab studies a variety of Schwann cell biology-related questions centered around the gene called Neurofibromatosis Type 1 or NF1. The gene NF1 encodes the protein NF1 and genetic mutations found in this gene cause the disease NF1. Children diagnosed with NF1 have a diverse spectrum of clinical manifestations including learning disabilities, bone deformations, subcutaneous benign tumors (neurofibroma), and are at an increased risk of developing a malignant tumor type in the Schwann cell lineage (malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor), Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. On the cancer side of our research, we characterize the genomic and transcriptional landscape of these tumors and use global drug targeting approaches to identify key targets. We validate these key targets in pre-clinical drug studies and biochemical approaches. Our cancer focus is on NF1 and receptor tyrosine kinase regulation of the Ras and PI3K signaling pathway. We are also beginning to investigate the novel roles for NF1 in regulating calcium signaling, autophagy and ER stress abnormalities in Alzheimer’s Disease susceptibility. My Ph.D. studies were centered around oncogenic activation of Ras through hyperactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases (ErbB family) and that led me to a postdoc studying a tumor suppressor protein (NF1) that negatively regulated Ras. NF1 is such an interesting protein with so much unknown about it, my interest in the protein function of NF1 continually grows.

 

5.     What has been your biggest scientific contribution to date?

 

I am excited about all of my research findings as we scientists pour are our heart and soul into each project. However, I would say the biggest contribution to date would be our findings identifying the presence of proliferating giant polyploid cancer cells in the tumor type we study. These multinucleated cells are burdened with several nuclei and large vacuoles but have the ability to abnormally divide. The presence of these cells has not previously been described in this sarcoma type and may play a significant role in their aggressive and drug resistant nature. We are currently investigating their functional properties in our cancer cell lines.

 

6.     Is there a scientific area/field you would like to know more about?

 

Absolutely, the list grows longer every year. Expertise in stem cell biology and autophagy would help us design the best experience for exploring the aggressive nature and drug-resistant role of the giant polyploid cancer cells found in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Bioinformatics is a personal interest that I routinely make time to understand more thoroughly.

 

7.     Would you like to connect with colleagues within a certain field? If so, what field/area?

 

Alzheimer’s Disease research. As I expand my research into a novel field for NF1, collaborations with those scientists focused on neuroglial biology, calcium signaling, or autophagy would be an exciting collaboration. Our current collaboration involving calcium signaling and NF1 in Schwann cells is painting a very exciting picture for how hyperactivation of the NF1 regulated signaling pathway may regulate intracellular calcium stores and cell viability.

 

8.     What is your favorite movie, tv show, food?

 

Oh gosh, it’s difficult to choose just one favorite. I love the movie Caché with Juliette Binoche. It’s a great thriller. Food: I love rice noodles, especially when paired with coconut milk. I love their versatility.

 

9.     If you had a yacht, what would you name it?

 

Joules. She’s the best dog in the world. Joules is beautiful, she provides comfort and is full of style and personality. She is always associated with a happy memory. That is what I would want out of a yacht.

 

10.  What’s the best advice you were ever given?

 

My Ph.D. advisor’s advice was, “Aim high”.

 

Make a Connection

Drop Dr. Jody Longo an email at longoj@musc.edu

 

 

Listen to Jody’s story of hope and a new heart