Alicia K.S. Wysong, B.S.
Graduate Student
Molecular Genetics Program
Center for Human Genomics

B.S., 2000, Louisiana State University

Graduate Project
Asthmatic inflammation has been shown to be both directed and propagated by the secretion of a series of cytokines, and, because cytokine effects often depend on signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), STAT4 and STAT1 are both functional candidate genes for influencing inflammatory disease. In addition, they are located on chromosome 2q33, where evidence of linkage has been observed in genome screens for asthma-associated phenotypes and associations of multiple phenotypes with STAT1 have already been observed in the populations that will be studied. We will evaluate the potential genetic contributions of STAT1and STAT4 through genetic and functional analysis according to the following specific aims:

1. Identification of polymorphisms within the genes and in the region between STAT1 and STAT4
2. Evaluation of polymorphic markers and their association with asthma in Dutch and U.S. case control populations and trios
3. Evaluation of polymorphic markers and their association with asthma related phenotypes (i.e. bronchial hyperresponsiveness, total serum IgE levels, pulmonary functions such as FEV1, etc.) in Dutch and U.S. case control populations and trios
4. Functional analysis of potential effects of associated polymorphisms on gene expression or function through molecular methods.

Personal Background
I did my undergraduate work at Louisiana State University and graduated with honors in May 2000. I majored in zoology and minored in chemistry. While at LSU, I spent 4 years doing developmental biology research and also taught chemistry lab.

Selected Publications
To be supplied