The Walker Lab: UMASS Medical School
The Walker Lab studies how metabolites act to regulate transcription and signaling pathways to affect lipid accumulation, stress-responses and aging.
C. elegans provide a simple, genetically tractable whole animal model for determining how changing the levels of a metabolite like SAM can affect cells or change physiological parameters such as lipid accumulation or aging.
We use human cell lines to test our models in a more complex environment and determine initial relevance to human biology.
Mice provides a whole animal system to model effects of changing methylation on mammalian physiology
The Walker lab is part of the Program in Molecular Medicine at UMASS Medical School. PMM has labs working on metabolism, structural biology, virology, neurobiology and development on organisms from yeast to humans. We have a bi-weekely post-doc seminar series (Confabs), a student presentation series (IGP). Within UMASS, we particiapte in MetNet, a monthly metabolism-centered seminar series with talks from UMASS labs as well as outside speakers. We also attend yearly C. elegans meetings.
Number of Genes in C. elegans
Worm genes with human orthologs
Number of somatic cells in adult worms
Number of worm labs at UMASS Medical School
Still at the bench with various projects in the lab, learning some code. Outside of lab, I experiment in the kitchen, garden and puzzle-person.
Follow @akwalkerlab
Hi, I am a postdoc in the Walker lab where I am interested in understanding how S-adenosyl methionine levels influence the transcriptional response to environmental stress conditions. Specifically I am interested in understanding the cellular role of the SAM synthases. I picked up my worm skills in a previous life in The Scripps Research Institute in Florida where I worked on a project that involved understanding the mechanism of action of age modulating compounds. If I am not in the lab, you might find me enjoying (?) a run on the Charles River Esplanade or rooting around in an antique/vintage shop.
Follow @YAWormNerd86
My research is centered on understanding how 1 carbon cycle metabolism directly impacts the epigenetic environment of the genome. Previously as a graduate student my work interrogated the formation of DNA:RNA hybrids during Drosophila embryogenesis. When not in the lab, I'm learning the city of Worcester, reading a good book, or watching horror movies.
Follow @alex_munden_
I am interested in exploring the role of metabolic signaling in regulation of the expression of genes that facilitate cellular homeostasis. My project involves investigating how intracellular trafficking is regulated to stabilize the Golgi apparatus during membrane stress due to abnormal lipid homeostasis. I enjoy listening to music while picking my worms. In my spare time I like playing games, reading, or cooking (and eating) different kinds of food!
Follow @ChristoferWelsh
I’m a born and raised New Englander with a microbiology background. I’m currently working on a project looking at how phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis influences mitochondrial phenotypes. Outside the lab I enjoy trail running, drawing, and experimenting with coffee, food, and fermentation.
Kim is a recent WPI grad working on SAM synthase expression.
Matt is a recent Holy Cross grad working on metabolic links to secretory pathways, interested in all things Neuro.
The Walker lab and UMass Medical School are committed to being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and recognize the power of a diverse community. We encourage applications from protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and those with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds to consider UMass Medical School as their employer of choice.
Thanks to Sammy Katta (sammykatta.com) for the Diversity and Inclusion Lab Poster
