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Ian M. Dickerson, Ph.D.

Ian M. Dickerson, Ph.D.

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Research Lab

About Me

Professional Background

EDUCATION:

Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1980 BA Biology
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 1985 PhD Molecular Biology
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 1989 Post Doc Neuroscience


POSITIONS:

1989-1997: Assistant Professor, Univer...
EDUCATION:

Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1980 BA Biology
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 1985 PhD Molecular Biology
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 1989 Post Doc Neuroscience


POSITIONS:

1989-1997: Assistant Professor, University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
1997-2003: Assoc. Professor, University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
1990-2003: Faculty Member, Neuroscience Program, University of Miami School of Medicine
1991-2003: Secondary Appointment, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine
2000-2003: Member, University of Miami School of Medicine Cancer Center, Tumor Cell Biology Program
2003-present: Associate Professor, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
2003-present: Secondary Appointment, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

HONORS:

1987-1989 NIH NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
1994-1995 Stanley Glaser Research Award, University of Miami School of Medicine
1996 UM Dean's Award for Excellence in Research and Creativity; Outstanding Graduate Mentor

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Neuroscience (SMD)

Associate Professor - Department of Biomedical Engineering (SMD) - Joint

Associate Professor - Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience 1985 - 1989

Education

PhD | Purdue University. Molecular Biology. 1985

BA | Humboldt State Univ. Biology. 1980

Awards

Dean's Award for Excellence in Research and Creativity; Outstanding Graduate Mentor. 1996

Stanley Glaser Research Award. 1994

NIH NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship Award. 1987 - 1989

David Ross Graduate Research Fellowship. 1983 - 1985

Research

Signal Transduction at Neuropeptide Receptors:

Our laboratory studies the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Originally discovered as an alternatively-spliced variant of the calcitonin mRNA, CGRP is one of the most potent vasodilators known. As a vasodilator, CGRP has both...
Signal Transduction at Neuropeptide Receptors:

Our laboratory studies the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Originally discovered as an alternatively-spliced variant of the calcitonin mRNA, CGRP is one of the most potent vasodilators known. As a vasodilator, CGRP has both peripheral and central effects. One of the most notable effects of CGRP is its causative effect of migraine on the cerebral vasculature, and stable synthetic antagonists have been recently developed and are in Stage III clinical trials for migraine treatment. CGRP also suppresses immune function, is involved in pain perception, and has further central role in the development of tolerance to opiates.
Recently, we have discovered that CGRP is a potent stimulator of glioma and metastatic breast cancer tumor cell growth. In collaboration with Dr. Edward Brown (Biomedical Engineering) we have observed remarkable increases in tumor cell growth rates in response to CGRP incubation. These data suggest that the CGRP receptor system represents an important new target for these types of cancer for which therapy is currently limited.
The CGRP receptor is unique for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) in that it requires three proteins for function: calcitonin-like receptor (CLR), a stereotypical GPCR with 7 hydrophobic transmembrane domains; receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP1), a single transmembrane accessory protein that targets CLR to the cell surface and confers pharmacologic specificity, and CGRP receptor component protein (RCP) which couples the CLR/RAMP1 complex to the cellular signaling pathway.
Our laboratory is investigating the mechanism of RCP action by: (1) determining the molecular/ biochemical requirements for RCP function, (2) determining the proteins that interact with RCP in a functional receptor complex using proteomic strategies, (3) determining the role of RCP and CGRP in vivo, using targeted homologous recombination to generate transgenic RCP knockout mice.
In addition, we are applying the biochemical reagents made in the first three areas of interest to directly test the role of the CGRP receptor in glioma and breast cancer proliferation, with the long-term goal of identifying novel protein interactions required for CGRP receptor function as targets for future anti-cancer drug development.

Patents

Methods of Treating Cancer Using The Calcitonin-Gene Related Peptide ("CGRP") Receptor Antagonist CGRP8-37

Issue date: March 12, 2013

Patent #: 8,394,767

Country: United States

Inventors: Edward Brown III, Ian Dickerson

Delivery of Biomolecules into Cells Through Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Issue date: October 12, 2021

Patent #: 11,142,776

Country: United States

Inventors: Ian Dickerson, Masoud Golshadi, Michael G Schrlau

Publications

Journal Articles

Inhibition of CGRP signaling impairs fracture healing in mice.

Wee NK, Novak S, Ghosh D, Root SH, Dickerson IM, Kalajzic I

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2022 October 24 Epub 10/24/2022.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide: An intra-articular therapeutic target for TMJ disorders.

Brouxhon SM, O'Banion MK, Dickerson IM, Kyrkanides S

Clinical and experimental dental research.. 2022 June 14 Epub 06/14/2022.

Self-sampling to identify pathogens and inflammatory markers in patients with acute sore throat: Feasibility study.

Lown M, Miles EA, Fisk HL, Smith KA, Muller I, Maund E, Rogers K, Becque T, Hayward G, Moore M, Little P, Glogowska M, Hay AD, Stuart B, Mantzourani E, Butler C, Bostock J, Davies F, Dickerson I, Thompson N, Francis N

Frontiers in immunology.. 2022 13 :1016181. Epub 10/06/2022.

Template-based fabrication of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays. (PDF)

Golshadi M,; Nguyen L.; Dickerson I.M.; Schrlau M.G.

Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology. 2021; 8(1): 13358-13369.

Receptor component protein, an endogenous allosteric modulator of family B G protein coupled receptors.

Routledge SJ, Simms J, Clark A, Yeung HY, Wigglesworth MJ, Dickerson IM, Kitchen P, Ladds G, Poyner DR

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes.. 2020 March 11862 (3):183174. Epub 12/27/2019.

3D Printed Platforms to Facilitate Cell Culture on Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Kubrin K; Ahmed A; Demiri S; Majid M; Dickerson IM; Schrlau MG.

ASME 2017 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. 2017; 14: V014T07A011.

Maturation of suprathreshold auditory nerve activity involves cochlear CGRP-receptor complex formation.

Dickerson IM, Bussey-Gaborski R, Holt JC, Jordan PM, Luebke AE

Physiological reports.. 2016 July 4 (14)Epub 1900 01 01.

High-Efficiency Gene Transfection of Cells through Carbon Nanotube Arrays.

Golshadi M, Wright LK, Dickerson IM, Schrlau MG

Small.. 2016 June 12 (22):3014-20. Epub 04/05/2016.

Functional recombinant protein is present in the pre-induction phases of Pichia pastoris cultures when grown in bioreactors, but not shake-flasks.

Bawa Z, Routledge SJ, Jamshad M, Clare M, Sarkar D, Dickerson I, Ganzlin M, Poyner DR, Bill RM

Microbial cell factories.. 2014 September 413 (1):127. Epub 09/04/2014.

Fluoxetine modulates breast cancer metastasis to the brain in a murine model.

Shapovalov Y, Zettel M, Spielman SC, Amico-Ruvio SA, Kelly EA, Sipe GO, Dickerson IM, Majewska AK, Brown EB

BMC cancer.. 2014 August 1614 :598. Epub 08/16/2014.

Peripheral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor activation and mechanical sensitization of the joint in rat models of osteoarthritis pain.

Bullock CM, Wookey P, Bennett A, Mobasheri A, Dickerson I, Kelly S

Arthritis & rheumatology.. 2014 August 66 (8):2188-200. Epub 1900 01 01.

Involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide and receptor component protein in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Sardi C, Zambusi L, Finardi A, Ruffini F, Tolun AA, Dickerson IM, Righi M, Zacchetti D, Grohovaz F, Provini L, Furlan R, Morara S

Journal of neuroimmunology.. 2014 June 15271 (1-2):18-29. Epub 03/19/2014.

Role of CGRP-receptor component protein (RCP) in CLR/RAMP function.

Dickerson IM

Current protein & peptide science.. 2013 August 14 (5):407-15. Epub 1900 01 01.

Vascular reactivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide is enhanced in subtotal nephrectomy-salt induced hypertension.

Supowit SC, Katki KA, Hein TW, Gupta P, Kuo L, Dickerson IM, Dipette DJ

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology.. 2011 September 301 (3):H683-8. Epub 06/10/2011.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) triggers Ca2+ responses in cultured astrocytes and in Bergmann glial cells from cerebellar slices.

Morara S, Wang LP, Filippov V, Dickerson IM, Grohovaz F, Provini L, Kettenmann H

The European journal of neuroscience.. 2008 December 28 (11):2213-20. Epub 1900 01 01.

Knockout of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide reduces cholangiocyte proliferation in bile duct ligated mice.

Glaser SS, Ueno Y, DeMorrow S, Chiasson VL, Katki KA, Venter J, Francis HL, Dickerson IM, DiPette DJ, Supowit SC, Alpini GD

Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology.. 2007 September 87 (9):914-26. Epub 07/09/2007.

Overexpression and purification of human calcitonin gene-related peptide-receptor component protein in Escherichia coli.

Tolun AA, Dickerson IM, Malhotra A

Protein expression and purification.. 2007 March 52 (1):167-74. Epub 09/20/2006.

Intraarticular induction of interleukin-1beta expression in the adult mouse, with resultant temporomandibular joint pathologic changes, dysfunction, and pain.

Lai YC, Shaftel SS, Miller JN, Tallents RH, Chang Y, Pinkert CA, Olschowka JA, Dickerson IM, Puzas JE, O'Banion MK, Kyrkanides S

Arthritis and rheumatism.. 2006 April 54 (4):1184-97. Epub 1900 01 01.

Localization of the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor complex at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction and its role in regulating acetylcholinesterase expression.

Rossi SG, Dickerson IM, Rotundo RL

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2003 July 4278 (27):24994-5000. Epub 04/21/2003.

CGRP receptor heterogeneity: a role for receptor component protein?

Hay DL, Poyner D, Dickerson I

Trends in endocrinology and metabolism : TEM.. 2003 January 14 (1):3-4; author reply 4-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

Localization and modulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide-receptor component protein-immunoreactive cells in the rat central and peripheral nervous systems.

Ma W, Chabot JG, Powell KJ, Jhamandas K, Dickerson IM, Quirion R

Neuroscience.. 2003 120 (3):677-94. Epub 1900 01 01.

Receptor component protein (RCP): a member of a multi-protein complex required for G-protein-coupled signal transduction.

Prado MA, Evans-Bain B, Dickerson IM

Biochemical Society transactions.. 2002 August 30 (4):460-4. Epub 1900 01 01.

CGRP receptor heterogeneity: a role for receptor component protein?

Hay, DL; Poyner, D; Dickerson, I.

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2002; 14: 3-4.

The role of the CGRP-receptor component protein (RCP) in adrenomedullin receptor signal transduction.

Prado MA, Evans-Bain B, Oliver KR, Dickerson IM

Peptides.. 2001 November 22 (11):1773-81. Epub 1900 01 01.

Site-directed mutagenesis of m1-toxin1: two amino acids responsible for stable toxin binding to M(1) muscarinic receptors.

Krajewski JL, Dickerson IM, Potter LT

Molecular pharmacology.. 2001 October 60 (4):725-31. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cloning, characterization and central nervous system distribution of receptor activity modifying proteins in the rat.

Oliver KR, Kane SA, Salvatore CA, Mallee JJ, Kinsey AM, Koblan KS, Keyvan-Fouladi N, Heavens RP, Wainwright A, Jacobson M, Dickerson IM, Hill RG

The European journal of neuroscience.. 2001 August 14 (4):618-28. Epub 1900 01 01.

CGRP-RCP, a novel protein required for signal transduction at calcitonin gene-related peptide and adrenomedullin receptors.

Evans BN, Rosenblatt MI, Mnayer LO, Oliver KR, Dickerson IM

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2000 October 6275 (40):31438-43. Epub 1900 01 01.

Characterization and localization of the rabbit ocular calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-receptor component protein (RCP).

Rosenblatt MI, Dahl GP, Dickerson IM

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.. 2000 April 41 (5):1159-67. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cloning and functional analysis of C. elegans 7B2.

Lindberg I, Tu B, Muller L, Dickerson IM

DNA and cell biology.. 1998 August 17 (8):727-34. Epub 1900 01 01.

Inhibitory effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on myometrial contractility is diminished at parturition.

Naghashpour M, Rosenblatt MI, Dickerson IM, Dahl GP

Endocrinology.. 1997 October 138 (10):4207-14. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cloning, characterization, and expression of a calcitonin receptor from guinea pig brain.

Sarkar A, Dickerson IM

Journal of neurochemistry.. 1997 August 69 (2):455-64. Epub 1900 01 01.

Isolation of a cDNA encoding a Kex2-like endoprotease with homology to furin from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Gómez-Saladín E, Luebke AE, Wilson DL, Dickerson IM

DNA and cell biology.. 1997 May 16 (5):663-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Endoproteolysis at tetrabasic amino acid sites in procalcitonin gene-related peptide by pituitary cell lines.

Rosenblatt MI, Dickerson IM

Peptides.. 1997 18 (4):567-76. Epub 1900 01 01.

Identification of a protein that confers calcitonin gene-related peptide responsiveness to oocytes by using a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator assay.

Luebke AE, Dahl GP, Roos BA, Dickerson IM

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.. 1996 April 1693 (8):3455-60. Epub 1900 01 01.

In situ hybridization reveals transient laminin B-chain expression by individual glial and muscle cells in embryonic leech central nervous system.

Luebke AE, Dickerson IM, Muller KJ

Journal of neurobiology.. 1995 May 27 (1):1-14. Epub 1900 01 01.

The agonist binding site of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A channel is not formed by the extracellular cysteine loop.

Amin J, Dickerson IM, Weiss DS

Molecular pharmacology.. 1994 February 45 (2):317-23. Epub 1900 01 01.

Isolation and in situ localization of a cDNA encoding a Kex2-like prohormone convertase in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Gómez-Saladín E, Wilson DL, Dickerson IM

Cellular and molecular neurobiology.. 1994 February 14 (1):9-25. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cell-type specific posttranslational processing of peptides by different pituitary cell lines.

Dickerson IM, Mains RE

Endocrinology.. 1990 July 127 (1):133-40. Epub 1900 01 01.

Variants of the carboxyl-terminal KDEL sequence direct intracellular retention.

Andres DA, Dickerson IM, Dixon JE

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 1990 April 15265 (11):5952-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Biosynthesis and posttranslational processing of site-directed endoproteolytic cleavage mutants of pro-neuropeptide Y in mouse pituitary cells.

Dickerson IM, Dixon JE, Mains RE

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 1990 February 15265 (5):2462-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cellular and molecular aspects of peptide hormone biosynthesis.

Mains RE; Dickerson IM; May V; Stoffers DA; Perkins SN; Ouafik L; Husten EJ; Eipper BA.

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. 1990; : 1-38.

Metallothionein-I promoter-directed expression of foreign proteins in a mouse pituitary corticotrope tumor cell line.

Dickerson IM, Peden KW, Mains RE

Molecular and cellular endocrinology.. 1989 July 64 (2):205-12. Epub 1900 01 01.

Structure of the precursor to an enzyme mediating COOH-terminal amidation in peptide biosynthesis.

Eipper BA, Park LP, Dickerson IM, Keutmann HT, Thiele EA, Rodriguez H, Schofield PR, Mains RE

Molecular endocrinology.. 1987 November 1 (11):777-90. Epub 1900 01 01.

Transfected human neuropeptide Y cDNA expression in mouse pituitary cells. Inducible high expression, peptide characterization, and secretion.

Dickerson IM, Dixon JE, Mains RE

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 1987 October 5262 (28):13646-53. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

The Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Family: Form, Function & Future Perspective (2010)

Chapter: "The CGRP Receptor Component Protein: A Regulator for CLR Signaling"

Authors: Dickerson, I.M.

Publisher: Springer Science, New York 2010

The Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Family; Form, Function And Future Perspective (2009)

Chapter: "The CGRP Receptor Component Protein (RCP): A Regulator for CLR Signaling",

Authors: Dickerson, I.M.

Publisher: Springer 2009

Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology (2006)

Chapter: "CGRP: A Multifunctional Neuropeptide"

Authors: Russo, A.F.; Dickerson, I.M.

Publisher: Kluwer Academic/Plenum 2006

The CGRP family: calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), amylin, and adrenomedul (2000)

Chapter: The CGRP-receptor component protein: A novel signal transduction protein.

Authors: M.I. Rosenblatt; B.N. Evans; M. Nagashpour; L.O. Mnayer; A.E. Luebke; G.P. Dahl; I.M.Dickerson

Publisher: Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, USA 2000

Peptide Biosynthesis and Processing (1991)

Chapter: Tissue-specificity of peptide processing.

Authors: Dickerson, I.M.; Noel, G.

Publisher: CRC Press, Boston, USA 1991

Neuropeptides and Their Receptors, Alfred Benzon Symposium 29 (1990)

Chapter: Probing the specificity of biosynthetic endoproteases with transfected cDNA for proNeuropeptide Y.

Authors: Dickerson, I.M., and R.E. Mains

Publisher: Munksgaard,Copenhagen 1990

Highlights on Endocrinologyed (1987)

Chapter: Cloning of cDNA Encoding Bovine Peptidyl-glycine a-Amidating Monooxygenase (PAM).

Authors: Park, L.P.; Thiele, E.A.; Dickerson, I.M.; R.E. Mains

Publisher: Norhaven Bogtrykkeri 1987