Alana C. Conti PhD (bh2880)

The Conti Laboratory studies the mechanisms of alcohol action in the traumatically-injured brain. Using rodent models, experiments are designed to examine ethanol action at the cellular level and to define the signaling pathways that mediate the synaptic response to ethanol. Additional studies are aimed to examine ethanol-related behaviors, such as binge consumption and withdrawal. Of particular interest are the proteins, adenylyl cyclase 1 and 8, which promote neuronal survival in the neonatal brain following ethanol treatment in a model of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and mediate ethanol-induced neuroplasticity. Together, these studies will allow us to identify protein targets of alcohol and develop interventions for the alcohol-damaged brain.

Dr. Conti completed her doctoral degree in Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania and postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in the Department of Pediatrics. She is an active member of national and international neuroscience research societies, and is the author of numerous papers relating her research on ethanol action, antidepressant activity and trauma-induced neurodegeneration.

Her appointment as an associate professor in Pediatric Neurosurgery and Neurosurgery at Wayne State University fosters her interest in teaching graduate and medical students, residents and fellows.

Research

1997-2003
Ph.D., Neuroscience
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1990-1991
B.S., Biology, honors
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

1992-1995
B.S.E., Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1990
Valedictorian
Southfield Christian High School
Southfield, Michigan

1990
Madame Curie Science Award
Southfield Christian High School
Southfield, Michigan

1990-1994
Merit Scholarship
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

1990-1991
Deans List
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

1995
Bioengineering Senior Design Award Finalist
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1995, 1996
Poster / Travel Award Finalist
Neurotrauma Society

1999, 2002
Travel Fellowship
AccuScan

2001
Solomon Erulkar Travel Fellowship
Department of Pharmacology
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2003
Honors Elliot Stellar Postdoctoral Award
Philadelphia SFN Chapter

2003, 2004
NIDA Postdoctoral Fellowship
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2006-2008
NICHHD Postdoctoral Fellowship
Department of Developmental Biology
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri

2008-2013
Mentored Research Scientist Development Award
 

Dr. Conti's CV

1994
Teaching Assistant
Department of Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1999, 2003
Teaching Assistant
Department of Biology
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2008
Course Instructor
Department of Biology
Washington University in Saint Louis
St. Louis, Missouri

2008-2009
Course Instructor
Department of Biology
Maryville University
St. Louis, Missouri

2008-2009
Instructor
Department of Psychiatry
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
St. Louis, Missouri

Dr. Conti's Publications

 Conti Lab

Experiments designed to examine ethanol action at the cellular level and to define the signaling pathways that mediate the synaptic response to ethanol in the adult and juvenile brain. Additional studies focus on behavioral outcome following ethanol exposure. Of particular interest are the proteins, adenylyl cyclase 1 and 8, which promote neuronal survival in the neonatal brain following ethanol treatment in studies related to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Future projects will focus on development of a novel in vitro model of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and defining the cellular mechanisms that regulate ethanol sensitivity following traumatic brain injury using both adult and juvenile mouse models.

Disease/Disorder

Traumatic brain injury, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and alcohol sensitivity.

Species

Mice

Methods

Molecular Biology, Immunohistochemistry, Primary Neuronal Cultures, Behavioral Animal Models.

Key Collaborators

Don Kuhn, Scott Bowen, Tiffany mathews, Shane Perrine, John Hannigan

 PubMed Search (past 5 years).