Dr. Linda M. Boland

Associate Professor of Biology
B-325 Gottwald Science Center
Office: (804) 289-8571
Fax: (804) 289-8233

Teaching:
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Cellular Neurophysiology
Neurobiology

Research:
My current research interests are framed around two general themes. First, how are ion channels modified in their function by changes in the cellular environment? Specifically, we are investigating how various lipids, derived from the cellular membrane, or naturally occurring steroid hormones, alter the function of voltage-gated ion channels. The ion channels do not work the same way all the time-- their function is dependent upon various endogenous modulators. We aim to understand how and why this interaction occurs, as well as the physiological significance of the changes in ion channel function. The changes impact nerve cell communication and processes such as learning and memory as well as the function of brain and heart in certain disease states. Second, we are interested in how ion channels in different life forms relate to one another, both structurally and physiologically. How did cellular excitability evolve and what adaptations in ion channel structure and function were required to support electrical activity of cells and eventually allow the development of a nervous system? By studying ion channels cloned from the genome of basal metazoans, we can better understand the evolutionary changes that have occurred in ion channel structure and function.

Education:
Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Post-Doctoral Fellowships at Harvard University Medical School with Dr. Bruce Bean and Dr. Gary Yellen

Selected Publications:

Tompkins-MacDonald, G. W. Gallin, S. Leys, L.M. Boland. (in preparation) Expression of a Poriferan potassium channel:  Insights into the evolution of ion channels in metazoans.

Boland, L.M., M. Drzewiecki, (in preparation).  Mechanisms of modulation of Kv4 channel function by fatty acids.

Ma, H., S. Lesne, L. Kotilinek, J.V. Steidl-Nichols, M. Sherman, L. Younkin, S. Younkin, C. Forster, N. Sargeant, A. Delacourte, R. Vassar, M. Citron, P. Kofuji, L.M. Boland, K. H. Ashe.  (2007) Involvement of β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) in amyloid precursor protein-mediated enhancement of memory and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 104:8167-8172. 

Brodie, C.R., M. Khaliq, J.C.P. Yin, H. B. Clark, H.T. Orr, and L.M. Boland. (2004) Overexpression of CREB reduces CRE-mediated transcription: Cellular and behavioral analyses in transgenic mice. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 25: 602-611. (Included journal cover for April, 2004).

Boland, L.M., M. Jiang, S-Y. Lee, S. Fahrenkrug, M. T. Harnett, and S. M. O’Grady. (2003) Functional properties of a brain-specific NH2-terminally spliced modulator of Kv4 channels. American Journal of Physiology (Cell Physiology) 285:C161-170.

Steidl, J., T. Gomez-Isla, A. Mariash, K. Hsiao Ashe, and L.M. Boland. (2003) Altered short-term synaptic plasticity in α-synuclein (A30P) transgenic mice. NeuroReport 14:219-223.

Varghese, A. and L.M. Boland. (2002) Computing the transient gating charge movement of voltage-dependent ion channels.  Journal of Computational Neuroscience 12:123-137.

Bähring, R., L.M. Boland, A. Varghese, M. Gebauer, and O. Pongs. (2001) Kinetic analysis of open- and closed-state inactivation transitions in human Kv4.2 A-type potassium channels.  Journal of Physiology 535:65-81.

Boland, L.M. and K.A. Jackson.  Protein kinase C inhibits Kv1.1 potassium channel function (1999)  American Journal of Physiology  (Cell Physiology) 277: C100-C110.

Boland, L.M., D.L. Price, and K.A. Jackson.  Episodic ataxia/myokymia mutations functionally expressed in the Shaker potassium channel.  (1999)  Neuroscience 91:1557-1564.

Zhou, D., S. Lambert, P.L. Malen, S. Carpenter, L.M. Boland, and V. Bennett. (1998)  AnkyrinG is required for cellular targeting of voltage-gated sodium channels and normal action potential firing in cerebellum.  Journal of Cell Biology 143:1295-1304.

Research Grants:

Current:
Research Grant from the Thomas and Kate Jeffress Memorial Trust

Previous:
NIH Independent Investigator Grant,  NSF Major Research Instrumentation Grant, Minnesota Medical Foundation, and various small grant programs

Current University of Richmond Research Students:

Michelle Drzewiecki (Former HHMI fellow. Currently:  Dickinson Award, Biology Dept.)
Erin Casey
Erin Fields
Gabriela Timoney (Current HHMI fellow.  Also Fellow of the American Physiological Society)
Jared Harrison
Kate Nguyen
Greg Wells (starting Fall 2008)