Faculty
Zhenzhi Tang, Ph.D.
zhenzhi_tang@urmc.rochester.edu
Uses traditional transgenic and novel genetic engineering techniques to generate mouse models of DM. These models aid in our understanding of expanded repeat toxicity and serve as valuable tools for testing potential therapeutics.
Technicians and Staff
Kirti Bhatt
Technical Associate
kirti_bhatt@urmc.rochester.edu
Focuses largely on processing tissue from human muscle biopsies. Deals with extracting RNA and cDNA and treating it so that it is of the utmost integrity and purity so that data produced can be compared and tested to learn more about DM1.
Sarah Leistman
Lab Technician
sarah_leistman@urmc.rochester.edu
Performs the majority of genotyping of the 40+ transgenic lines of mice in the Thornton lab, determines breeding strategies, and attends to colony maintenance of these lines.
Linda Richardson
Laboratory Manager
linda_richardson@urmc.rochester.edu
Oversees general day to day functioning of lab and general contact. Responsible for husbandry and colony maintenance of 40+ lines of transgenic mice used as therapeutic models of neuromuscular diseases.
Ryan Wise
Physician Support Specialist
Phone: (585) 275-2542
ryan_wise@urmc.rochester.edu
Graduate Students
Samuel Carrell, M.D., Ph.D.
Graduate Student
samuel_carrell@urmc.rochester.edu
Testing the limits of antisense oligonucleotide treatment for myotonic dystrophy Type 1
Matthew Tanner
Graduate Student
matthew_tanner@urmc.rochester.edu
Expanded repeat DNA tracts and their roles in splicing-mediated disease in myotonic dystrophy
Undergraduate Research Students
Byron Arevalo
Undergraduate Student
barevalo@u.rochester.edu
Currently an undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience working in the lab. Byron’s lab duties consist of running electrophoresis gels, doing PCRs and assisting Dr. Tang with his projects.
Julianna Savitz
Undergraduate Student
jsavitz@u.rochester.edu
Currently an undergraduate majoring in Environmental Health working in the lab. Julianna works closely with technicians in the lab with DNA extraction and genotyping.