Rebecca Prosser, Ph.D.

 

Research Statement

Virtually all organisms exhibit daily rhythms in their behavior and physiology that are controlled by endogenous timing mechanisms called circadian clocks. Although self-sustained, these internal clocks must be responsive to external timing cues to maintain synchrony with the environment. My research focuses on the cellular mechanisms through which light and other inputs reset the mammalian circadian clock, which is located in an area of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).  Current projects in the lab include 1) investigating the effects ethanol has on clock phase resetting; and 2) how a variety of extracellular proteins, including growth factors, enzymes, and cell adhesion molecules affect circadian clock phase resetting.  The techniques used in these studies include electrophysiology, protein expression assays, and cell culture.

Selected Publications

Besing RC, Hablitz LM, Paul JR, Johnson RL, Prosser RA, and Gamble KL (2012) NPY-induced phase shifts of PER2::LUC rhythms are mediated by long-term suppression of neuronal excitability in a phase-specific manner. Chronobiol.Internat.,29: 91-102

Glass JD, Brager A, Stowie, A, and Prosser RA (2012) Cocaine modulates pathways for photic and nonphotic entrainment of the SCN circadian clock. Am.J.Physiol. Regul Integr Comp Physiol 302: R740-R750.

Brager A, Prosser RA, and Glass DJ (2011) Acamprosate-responsive brain sites for suppression of ethanol intake and preference. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 301: R1032–R1043

Brager A, Prosser RA, and Glass DJ (2011) Circadian and acamprosate modulation of elevated ethanol drinking in mPer2 clock gene mutant mice Chronobiol.Internat. 28: 664-672

Brager AJ, Ruby CL, Prosser, RA, Glass, JD, (2011) Acute ethanol disrupts photic and serotonergic circadian clock phase resetting in the mouse. Alcohol.Clin.Expt.Res 35: 1467-1474.

Hammer SB, Ruby CL, Brager AJ, Prosser RA and Glass JD (2010) Environmental modulation of alcohol intake in hamsters: effects of wheel-running and constant light exposure.Alcohol.Clin.Expt.Res 34: 1651-1658.

Brager AJ, Ruby CL, Prosser RA and Glass JD (2010) Chronic ethanol disrupts circadian photic entrainment and daily locomotor activity in the mouse. Alcohol.Clin.Expt.Res. 34: 1266-1273. 

Mou X, Peterson CB, and Prosser RA (2009) Tissue-type plasminogen activator-plasmin-BDNF modulate glutamate-induced phase shifts of the mouse suprachiasmatic circadian clock in vitro.Eur.J.Neurosci. 30: 1451-1460.

Prosser, R.A., and Glass, J.D. (2009) The mammalian circadian clock exhibits acute tolerance to ethanol. Alcohol.Clin.Expt.Res. 33: 2088-2093.

Prosser, R.A., McElroy, B., Zakaria, A., and Glass, J.D. (2009) Ethanol modulates mammalian circadian clock phase resetting through extrasynaptic GABA receptor activation. Neuroscience164: 842-848.

Ruby, C.L., Brager, A.J., DePaul, M.A. Prosser, R.A., and Glass, J.D. (2009) Chronic ethanol disrupts circadian behavior and photic phase-resetting in the hamster. Am.J.Physiol. 297: R729-R737

Ruby, C.L., Prosser, R.A., and Glass, J.D. (2009) Acute Ethanol Impairs Photic and Nonphotic Circadian Phase-Resetting in the Syrian Hamster. Am.J.Physiol 296: R411-R418.

 

Contact Information

Office:
Room F-211
Walters Life Sciences
Phone: (865) 974-2722

Lab:
Room A-209
Walters Life Sciences
Phone: (865) 974-8126

Email: rprosser@utk.edu