Judith M. Thorn

Associate Professor of Biology

General Interests
Signal transduction, the cytoskeleton, endocytosis, cell movements, development, dog behavior and training, animal assisted therapy

Years at Knox: 2000 to present

Education
Ph.D., 1995, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
B.A., 1991, Grinnell College

Recent Recognition
Grants
National Science Foundation grant to use research-based laboratory to investigate developmental biology at Knox College, 2002-2005.

Recent Accomplishments
Publications
"The cortical changes initiated by the injection of d-Src mRNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes result from acto-myosin contraction." Co-authored with Knox Students A. Pantanakasame and B.K. Kay, forthcoming.

"High school and college students' knowledge and opinions concerning the HIV/AIDS problem." Co-authored with Knox Students D. Nimke and K.F. Satisky, forthcoming.

"Conditioning Dogs to Sit." Co-authored with J.J. Templeton, K.M.M. Van Winkle, and R.R. Castillo. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 9.1 (2006): 25-39.

"The NIEHS Xenopus maternal EST project: Interim analysis of the first 13,879 ESTs from unfertilized eggs." Co-authors P.J. Blackshear, W.S. Lai, E.A. Kennington, N.G. Staffa, D.T. Moore, G.G. Bouffard, S.M. Beckstrom-Sternberg, J.W. Touchman, M.F. Bonaldo, and M.B. Soares. Gene 267/1 (2001): 71-87.

"Intersectin, an adaptor protein involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, activates mitogenic signaling pathways." Co-authors A. Adams, M. Yamabai, B.K. Kay and J.P. O'Bryan. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2000).

"Binding of tristetraprolin-related zinc finger proteins to AU-rich elements and destabilization of mRNA." Journal of Biological Chemistry 275 (2000).

"Characterization of an ERM protein in early Xenopus laevis development." Co-authors N.A. Armstrong, L.A. Cantrell and B.K. Kay. Zygote 7(2) (1999): 113-22.

"Identification of four CCCH zinc finger proteins in Xenopus, including a novel vertebrate protein with four zinc fingers and severely restricted expression." Co-authors J. De, W.S. Lai, S.M. Goldsworth, X. Liu, T.K. Blackwell and P.J. Blackshear. Gene 228 (1999): 133-145.

"Reliability of delta-crystallin as a marker for chick lens." Co-authors C.H. Sullivan, P.C. Marker, and J.D. Brown. Differentiation 64 (1998): 1-9.

"The NIEHS Xenopus maternal EST project." Co-authors P.J. Blackshear, W.S. Lai, D.T. Moore, G. Bouffard, J. Touchman, and M.B. Soares. Seventh International Xenopus Conference, 1998.

Presentations
"The expression of intersectin mRNA and protein in the oocytes of Xenopus laevis." With E.M. Mandel. Society for Developmental Biology, Madison, Wisconsin, 2002.

"Investigating the role of Rho protein in d-src mRNA injected Xenopus laevis oocytes." With A. Pantanakasame. Society for Developmental Biology, Madison, Wisconsin, 2002.

"Investigating the function of moesin in the development of Xenopus laevis." With K.A.M. Linn and K.M. Lipe. Midwest Society of Developmental Biology, Columbia, Missouri, 2001.

"The NIEHS Xenopus maternal EST project." With P.J. Blackshear, W.S. Lai, D.T. Moore, G. Bouffard, J. Touchman, and M.B. Soares. Seventh International Xenopus Conference, Sardinia, Italy, 1998.

Campus & Community Involvement
Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Member, Association for Women in Science.
Member, National Association of Biology Teachers.
Member, Society of Developmental Biology.
Member, Council on Undergraduate Research.

Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
Member, Delta Society.

What Students Say
"Judy's always able to break down extremely complex concepts into bite-size pieces. I've never seen anyone else make something like dominant-negative mutations feel intuitive. She also supports students like few professors do-I'm in debt to her to a degree I'll never really be able to repay directly."
- Andrew Prendergast, Psychology and Biology Major

Contact
309-341-7896
jthorn@knox.edu