Susan Ackerman (neuroscientist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan L. Ackerman
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | California State University, Chico, University of California, Los Angeles |
| Known for | UNC5C, mouse genetics |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | neuroscience, genetics |
| Institutions | University of California, San Diego, The Jackson Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts University, University of Maine, Orono |
Susan L. Ackerman is an American scientist who studies the brain and genes. She is a neuroscientist, which means she studies the nervous system, and a geneticist, meaning she studies genes. Her work helps us understand how our central nervous system (like the brain and spinal cord) develops. She also researches why some brain cells break down as people get older. This breakdown is called neurodegeneration.
Dr. Ackerman's research aims to find out what causes these brain problems in mammals. Her discoveries could help find cures for diseases that affect the brain. She is a professor at the University of California, San Diego. She has also taught at the Jackson Laboratory and Tufts University.
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Her Education
Susan Ackerman went to California State University, Chico. There, she earned two bachelor's degrees. One was in Chemistry, and the other was in Biology.
After that, she continued her studies at the UCLA. She earned her doctorate degree in Biology.
Her Career and Research
Since 2005, Dr. Ackerman has been a researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. A big part of her work involves studying special mice. These mice are called "Jax mice" and come from the Jackson Laboratory.
These Jax mice have many different genetic changes. These changes lead to different physical traits or health issues. Dr. Ackerman observes these mice closely. She investigates how specific gene changes cause problems in the mice. Then, she studies what these genes do and how they affect brain development and health. In 2019, she was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Sciences. She also joined the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The Unc5c Gene
A lot of Dr. Ackerman's research has focused on a gene called Unc5c. This gene makes a protein also called Unc5c. This protein is important for brain cells to connect properly.
Her research showed that the Unc5c protein is key for the corpus callosum to develop. The corpus callosum is a part of the brain that connects its two halves. If the Unc5c gene has a mutation (a change), especially with other mutated genes, the corpus callosum can break down. However, if only Unc5c is mutated, the brain might look normal. This is because the protein is mainly important for certain brain cells that form early.
Harlequin Mice and Brain Damage
Dr. Ackerman has also studied how some genetic changes make brain cells more likely to be damaged. This damage is called oxidative damage. It can cause brain cells to die.
Her research looks at "Harlequin mice." These mice have a change in a gene called AIF. The AIF protein helps protect cells from damage. It acts like a "scavenger" for harmful chemicals. In Harlequin mice, the change in the AIF gene means they make 80% less of this protein. This causes their brain cells to get more oxidative damage as they get older.
Other Important Discoveries
Dr. Ackerman has worked on other projects too. She has studied how changes in certain RNA molecules can lead to brain cell problems. She also looked at how errors in making proteins can cause neurodegeneration. Her work helps us understand many different ways brain cells can be affected by genetic changes.
