Doris E. Kretzschmar, Ph.D.

  • Professor, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences
  • Associate Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine
  • Molecular and Medical Genetics Graduate Program, School of Medicine
  • Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine
  • Program in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Medicine

Biography

We are using Drosophila to study basic mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Currently, we are focusing on two proteins that play key roles in Alzheimer’s disease; the Amyloid Precursor Protein and Tau. We are investigating what effects disease-associated changes in these proteins have on their functions and how this effects the genetic pathways these proteins are involved in. To address this, we use behavioral assays, histology and confocal imaging, as well as various molecular and sequencing techniques. Using genetic manipulations, we study whether other proteins can ameliorate disease-associated phenotypes or contribute to the pathogenicity. In a second project, we are investigating effects of aging on behavior and the function of the nervous system. In addition, my group is part of a research center that tests effects of botanical dietary supplements on enhancing resilience during aging and in neurodegenerative diseases.

Education and training

    • Ph.D., 1991, Univeristy of Würzburg

Publications

Selected publications

  • Nash, T.R., Chow, E.S., Law, A.D., Fu S.D., Fuszara E., Biska A., Bebas P., Kretzschmar, D., Giebultowicz, J.M. Daily blue-light exposure shortens lifespan and causes brain neurodegeneration in Drosophila. npj Aging and Mechanisms of Disease. 2019 Dec. 5(1), 8
  • Sunderhaus, E.R., Law, A.D., Kretzschmar, D. Disease-Associated PNPLA6 Mutations Maintain Partial Functions When Analyzed in Drosophila. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2019 Nov. 13,1207
  • Sunderhaus ER, Law AD, Kretzschmar D. ER responses play a key role in Swiss-Cheese/Neuropathy Target Esterase-associated neurodegeneration. Neurobiology of Disease. 2019 June 130,104520.
  • Rieche F, Carmine-Simmen K, Poeck B, Kretzschmar D, Strauss R. Drosophila Full-Length Amyloid Precursor Protein Is Required for Visual Working Memory and Prevents Age-Related Memory Impairment. Curr Biol. 2018 Mar 5;28(5):817-823.
  • Cassar M, Sunderhaus E, Wentzell JS, Kuntz S, Strauss R, Kretzschmar D. The PKA-C3 catalytic subunit is required in two pairs of interneurons for successful mating of Drosophila. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 6;8(1):2458.
  • Reduced Expression of Foxp1 as a Contributing Factor in Huntington's Disease. Louis Sam Titus ASC, Yusuff T, Cassar M, Thomas E, Kretzschmar D, D'Mello SR. J Neurosci. 2017 Jul 5;37(27):6575-6587.
  • McFerrin J, Patton BL, Sunderhaus ER, Kretzschmar D. NTE/PNPLA6 is expressed in mature Schwann cells and is required for glial ensheathment of Remak fibers. Glia. 2017 May;65(5):804-816. PMCID:PMC5357176.
  • Ramaker JM, Cargill RS, Swanson TL, Quirindongo H, Cassar M, Kretzschmar D, Copenhaver PF. Amyloid Precursor Proteins Are Dynamically Trafficked and Processed during Neuronal Development.Front Mol Neurosci. 2016 Nov 25;9:130.
  • Sunderhaus E., Kretzschmar D. Mass histology to quantify neurodegeneration in Drosophila. JOVE, 2016 Dec 15.
  • Dutta S, Rieche F, Eckl N, Duch C, Kretzschmar D. Glial expression of Swiss cheese (SWS), the Drosophila orthologue of neuropathy target esterase (NTE), is required for neuronal ensheathment and function. Dis Model Mech. 2016 9(3):283-94. PMID: 26634819

Publications

  • {{ pub.journalAssociation.journal.name.text[0].value }}