Monica J. Basehore, B.S.
Graduate Student
Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
Center for Human Genomics
B.S., 2000, Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
Graduate Project
Positional Cloning of Asthma Susceptibility Genes in a Hispanic Population
The overall objective of my thesis proposal is to identify asthma susceptibility genes in individuals of Hispanic descent. The focus of my research is on the potential contribution of candidate genes on chromosomes 1p and 5q in the development of asthma or an asthma-related phenotype.
My specific aims are as follows:
1) to develop a high resolution genetic map of the candidate regions on chromosomes 1p and 5q;
2) to identify candidate genes and SNPs within the narrowed regions of linkage;
3) to assist in the collection of a cohort of Hispanic cases and controls in Albuquerque, NM and Winston-Salem, NC; and
4) to evaluate the involvement of candidate SNPs and haplotypes with asthma susceptibility using a case-control study design.
Significant associations will identify potential susceptibility genes and assist in the determination of disease severity in Hispanics. Positive findings may also lead to improved preventive measures, new diagnostic tools, and novel therapeutic approaches.
Personal Background
I graduated from Virginia Tech in 2000, receiving a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and a Chemistry minor. As an undergraduate, I gained valuable research experience by working for Virginia Tech’s Center for Adhesive and Sealant Science (May 1998-August 1999) and Biochemistry Department (September 1999-May 2000).
Selected Publications and Presentations
MJ Basehore, TD Howard, LA Lange, WC Moore, GA Hawkins, PL Marshik, MS Harkins, DA Meyers, and ER Bleecker. A comprehensive evaluation of IL4 variants in ethnically diverse populations: association of total serum IgE levels and asthma in Caucasians (Accepted: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology).
TD Howard, WH Giles, J Xu, MJ Basehore, AM Malarcher, JW Cole, MA Wozniak, DA Meyers, SJ Kittner. Promoter Polymorphisms in endothelial NOS are Associated with Ischemic Stroke Susceptibility in Young Women (Submitted: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology).
MJ Basehore, TD Howard, LA Lange, GA Hawkins, WC Moore, ER Bleecker, DA Meyers. A comprehensive evaluation of IL4 variants and their association with total serum IgE levels and asthma in Caucasians (Late-Breaking Oral Presentation: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Meeting, March 2004).
M Singla, TD Howard, N Reijmerink, MJ Basehore, DA Meyers, DS Postma, ER Bleecker. The Evaluation of Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9) as a Susceptibility Gene for Atopy and Asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2004; 113 (2): S325.
MJ Basehore, TD Howard, EJ Ampleford, WC Moore, DA Meyers, ER Bleecker. Polymorphisms in the Endothelin-2 (EDN2) Gene are Associated with Asthma in U.S. Hispanics and other Asthma-Related Phenotypes in African-Americans and U.S. Caucasians. American Journal of Human Genetics 2003; 73 (5): 168; Platform Presentation.
Basehore, MJ, Howard, TD, Ampleford, EJ, Zheng, SL, Bleecker, ER, and Meyers, DA. Association of Multiple Interleukin-4 Polymorphisms with Total Serum IgE Levels and Other Asthma-Related Phenotypes across Ethnically Diverse Populations. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2003; 167 (7): A749.
TD Howard, WH Giles, J Xu, MJ Basehore, AM Malarcher, JW Cole, MA Wozniak, DA Meyers, SJ Kittner. Promoter Polymorphisms in Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Risk of Ischemic Stroke: The Stroke Prevention in Young Women Study. Stroke 2003; 34 (1): 244.
Basehore, MJ, Bleecker, ER, Howard, TD, Jongepier, H, Meyers, DA, and Postma, DS. Identification of Novel Variations within IL-4 and Association with Asthma and Associated Phenotypes in a Dutch Population. American Journal of Human Genetics 2002; 71 (4):482.
Aschner, JL, MJ Basehore, SL Foster, CD Fike, D Salvemini, and RM Payne. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90):endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) interactions influence pulmonary vascular reactivity by altering the balance between nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2-) generation. Pediatr Res 2002; 51:469A.
Aschner, JL, MJ Basehore, TD LeCras. Post-translational modification of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90): Effects on newborn pulmonary vascular tone. Circulation 2001; 104:II206.