Person
Bill, Brent
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Biography and Research Interest
2014-Present: Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Biology.
We are interested in determining the genetic and environmental etiologic causes of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Utilizing the zebrafish as a tool, we mutate and over express ASD risk homologs, identify phenotypes associated, and screen for molecules that may enhance or mitigate these phenotypes.
2008-2014: Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Geschwind.
We utilized morpholino oligonucleotides to reduce the levels cntnap2a, a homolog of the well established ASD gene CNTNAP2. We identified morphological and behavioral changes in the zebrafish, and identified a pharmaceutical capable of mitigating the behavioral phenotype. This paper is currently being revised.
2002-2008: Ph.D., MCDBG - in the laboratories of Drs. Lisa A. Schimmenti and Stephen C. Ekker.
We performed the largest morpholine screen conducted to date looking for the phenotypes of over 200 gene knockdowns. Specifically, I screened for developmental eye abnormalities. In addition, during the characterization of an enhancer trap line, we identified the choroid plexus, the organ responsible for regulating the constituents of the cerebral spinal fluid.
1999-2002: M.S., Biotechnology in the lab of Dr. Anthony Otsuka.
We were interested in the C. elegans specific isoform of the ankyrin family, unc-44. We performed biochemical experiments to look at it membrane localization.
1995-1999: B.S., Biological Sciences
Labs:
Dr. Anthony Otsuka - Phenotypic analysis of the nuc-1 mutant.
Dr. Douglas Whitman - Functionality of the Comstock-Kellogg Gland.
Dr. Joseph Armstrong- Distribution of Pedicularis on an Illinois Prairie.
We are interested in determining the genetic and environmental etiologic causes of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Utilizing the zebrafish as a tool, we mutate and over express ASD risk homologs, identify phenotypes associated, and screen for molecules that may enhance or mitigate these phenotypes.
2008-2014: Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Geschwind.
We utilized morpholino oligonucleotides to reduce the levels cntnap2a, a homolog of the well established ASD gene CNTNAP2. We identified morphological and behavioral changes in the zebrafish, and identified a pharmaceutical capable of mitigating the behavioral phenotype. This paper is currently being revised.
2002-2008: Ph.D., MCDBG - in the laboratories of Drs. Lisa A. Schimmenti and Stephen C. Ekker.
We performed the largest morpholine screen conducted to date looking for the phenotypes of over 200 gene knockdowns. Specifically, I screened for developmental eye abnormalities. In addition, during the characterization of an enhancer trap line, we identified the choroid plexus, the organ responsible for regulating the constituents of the cerebral spinal fluid.
1999-2002: M.S., Biotechnology in the lab of Dr. Anthony Otsuka.
We were interested in the C. elegans specific isoform of the ankyrin family, unc-44. We performed biochemical experiments to look at it membrane localization.
1995-1999: B.S., Biological Sciences
Labs:
Dr. Anthony Otsuka - Phenotypic analysis of the nuc-1 mutant.
Dr. Douglas Whitman - Functionality of the Comstock-Kellogg Gland.
Dr. Joseph Armstrong- Distribution of Pedicularis on an Illinois Prairie.
Non-Zebrafish Publications
Asami Oguro-Ando, Clark Rosensweig, Edward Herman, Yuhei Nishimura, Donna Werling, Brent R. Bill, Jamee M. Berg, Fuying Gao, Giovanni Coppola, Brett S. Abrahams, Daniel H. Geschwind (2014). Disease-associated CYFIP1 overexpression alters synapse morphology through dysregulation of mTOR signaling. Molecular Psychiatry, Early online edition 2014 (doi: 10.1038/mp.2014.124)
Jorune Balciuniene, Ningping Feng, Kelly Iyadurai, Betsy Hirsch, Lawrence Charnas, Brent R. Bill, Mathew C. Easterday, Johan Staaf, LeAnn Oseth, Desiree Czapansky-Beilman, Dimitri Avramopoulos, George H. Thomas, �ke Borg, David Valle, Lisa A. Schimmenti, Scott Selleck (2007) Recurrent 10q22-23 deletions: A genomic disorder on 10q associated with cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. AJHG 80: 938.
Lyon, C., C. Evans, B. Bill, A. Otsuka, and R. Aguilera (2000) The C. elegans apoptotic nuclease NUC-1 is related in sequence and activity to mammalian DnaseII. Gene 252:147-154.
REVIEWS & BOOK CHAPTERS
Bill, Brent R. and Daniel H. Geschwind. Genetic Advances in Autism: Heterogeneity and Convergence on Shared Pathways. (2009) Current Opinions in Genetics and Development Jun 19 (3): 271-8.
Bill, Brent R. Christina T. DyBuncio, Jennifer K Lowe, and Brent L. Fogel. (2013) Chapter 8 - Orchestration of Neurodevelopmental Programs by RBFOX1: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Review of Neurobiology: The Neurobiology of Autism. Volume 113, 2013, Pages 251–267.