Scott R Johnstone, PhD

Position:  Post Doctoral researcher

Interests:  Involvement of Connexin (Cx) proteins in cell proliferation, migrations and differentiation events.

Previously I have been involved in the development of real time cell cycle models to investigate the effects of enhanced Cx43 expression on alterations in cell proliferation, which may play an important role in alterations during events such as carcinogenesis. Cxs are also reportedly intrinsic in the co-ordination of cell migratory events such as wound closure, in particular chronic non-healing diabetic wounds where expression of Cx43 is elevated.  I have recently joined the Isakson lab with the aim of investigating the effects of differential Cx43 expression and phosphorylation on smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation in large vessels of the vasculature during atherogenesis.