Written by: Austin Wildmann

MURRAY, Ky. — The Kentucky Academy of Science has named Murray State University’s Dr. Chris Trzepacz as a recipient of the 2012 Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) Special Research Program Award. 

Trzepacz has been assistant professor of biological sciences since 2008. The award for his research proposal, “Assessment of neurodegeneration in a novel C. Elegans model of tauopathy,” earned Murray State University a grant. 

The project began in 2009 and focuses on the functions of a particular gene called pam-1. Every multi-cellular organism, from plants to humans, has this gene but scientists don’t know its purpose. The underlying question was, “What are the biological functions of pam-1?”

Trzepacz and his team are studying the effects of mutated pam-1 genes in model organisms called Caenorhabditis elegans, a type of roundworm. Scientists use model organisms because they have many of the same biochemical, cellular and genetic properties as humans. 

Trzepacz has discovered that a mutation of pam-1 has a dramatic impact on worm fertility as well as chemosensation, the worm’s ability to detect and move to a food source. 

Trzepacz believes the proposal was successfully funded because of preliminary data from early experiments collected by his former students, Wes Edwards and Courtney Wells. M.S. student Kelsey Nelson joined his lab in January to expand these studies. 

There is a protein found in neurons called TAU, which is essential for proper neuron function. However, under certain poorly understood conditions, TAU will aggregate, or forms clumps, inside the neurons to cause effects such as memory loss, diminishing cognitive and motor function, and death. These effects are associated with a class of disease called tauopathy. Alzheimer disease is the most commonly known tauopathy. 

Recent evidence suggests pam-1 breaks down the clumps of TAU. Therefore, one hypothetical function of pam-1 is to protect against the development of TAU aggregates and possibly tauopathies. 

When pam-1 is mutant in worms, the TAU proteins may similarly accumulate and cause tauopathy symptoms. “We know pam-1 mutation is causing motor and behavioral problems in worms, but is pam-1 mutation causing neurodegeneration?  We think it is. If our hypothesis is valid, we should be able to detect neurodegeneration anatomically,” said Trzepacz. To do this they will use a strain of worm genetically engineered to have easily observable glowing green neurons. 

Trzepacz said his goal for the project is to validate a new model for taoupathic disease. 

“If we can show that our mutant worms are effectively mimicking a human neurodegenerative condition we can use them to start dissecting the genetic and molecular pathways and mechanisms that are responsible for the neurodegeneration,” Trzepacz said. “Once we have a solid understanding of these events we could perhaps design more effective therapies to combat human tauopathies.” 

Trzepacz says the grant is very satisfying and that he is grateful to the Kentucky Academy of Science. He plans to purchase some new equipment and reagents to perform experiments. 

The Kentucky Academy of Science is a nonprofit organization that encourages scientific research in Kentucky. KAS was established in 1914 and is an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences as well as the National Association of Academies of Science. 

Trzepacz’s proposal went up against several others from Kentucky. It was judged on its scientific merit by a panel of accredited scientists.

“Winning the award is not only a vote of confidence in the merit and potential of the proposal and the research performed in my lab,” Trzepacz said, “but also a vote recognizing the abilities of our students, the strengths and support of the department of biological sciences and the college of science, the efforts of the office of sponsored programs and the mission of MSU.”