Education

Research / Teaching Statement

Research: For gene therapy, the research has two major thrusts. These are testing whether short oligonucleotides (oligos) can be used for site-directed repair of point mutations in retinal cells and if so, what can we learn about the mechanism(s) through which this gene repair occurs. To test whether site-directed gene repair is possible in retinal cells, I have used a previously described method whereby nuclear extracts are assayed for repair capability in vitro. In this way, we have demonstrated that nuclear extracts from a variety of mouse ocular tissues are capable of in vitro gene repair at a rate of at least 1/100,000. Work is continuing in this area to determine if repair rate can be enhanced. In addition to in vivo experiments, we are conducting ex vivo experiments on mouse eye cups and culture experiments on retinoblastoma cell lines to test repair of the mutation in the tyrosinase gene in Balb/c mice. Initial results from allele specific RT-PCR and melanin staining have suggested that repair does occur. Experiments are being repeated.
For promoter characterization, I am working towards purification of factors that appear to determine photoreceptor-specific expression of IRBP. Current work uses promoter regions linked to streptavidin-coated magnetic beads to fish for b DNA binding proteins of interest. Results are forthcoming.

Teaching: During 2002 fall semester plant morphology, I taught one module and one lab and assisted in several labs. The teaching module consisted of 4 lectures. An overview of plant biochemistry/biomolecules and focus on photosynthesis comprised the 4 lectures. The photosynthesis module emphasized the basic principles of the light reactions, carbon fixation reactions, photorespiration and how plant forms are influenced by their photosynthesis mechanisms/machinery. The laboratory covered gymnosperm embryology. In 2003 winter/spring semester plant physiology, I taught the photosynthesis module which consisted of 5 lectures. This photosynthesis module again emphasized the principles of the light reactions, carbon fixation, photorespiration, but focused more on key experiments (e.g. Calvin, Hill) for elucidating photosynthetic mechanisms. Discussion of these experiments led into physiological effects of light, heat, carbon dioxide, etc. and their measurement.

Recent Publications

Ciavatta, V.T., Kim, M., Wong, P.W., Nickerson, J.M., Shuler, R.K., McLean, G.Y., Pardue, M.T. (2009) Subretinal implantation of a microphotodiode array induces retinal expression of Fgf2 in RCS rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009 Mar 5. [Epub ahead of print]

Andrieu-Soler, C., Halhal, M., Boatright, J.H., Padove, S.A., Nickerson, J.M., Stodulkova, E., Stewart, R.E., Ciavatta, V.T., Doat, M., Jeanny, J.C., de Bizemont, T., Sennlaub, F., Courtois, Y., Behar-Cohen, F. (2007) Single-stranded oligonucleotide-mediated in vivo gene repair in the rd1 retina. Mol Vis. 2007, 13:692-706.

Boatright, J.H., Moring, A.G., McElroy, C., Phillips, M.J., Do, V.T., Chang, B., Hawes, N.L., Boyd, A.P., Sidney, S.S., Stewart, R.E., Minear, S.C., Chaudhury, R., Ciavatta, V.T., Rodrigues, C.M., Steer, C.J., Nickerson, J.M., Pardue, M.T. (2006) Tool from ancient pharmacopoeia prevents vision loss. Mol Vis. 12:1706-14.

Nickerson, J.M., Frey, R.A., Ciavatta, V.T., Stenkamp, D.L. (2006) Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein gene structure in tetrapods and teleost fish. Mol Vis. 12:1565-85.

Ciavatta, V.T., Padove, S.A., Boatright, J.H., Nickerson, J.M. (2005) Mouse retina has oligonucleotide-induced gene repair activity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 46(7):2291-9.

Davies, J.B., Ciavatta, V.T., Boatright, J.H., Nickerson, J.M. (2003) Delivery of several forms of DNA, DNA-RNA hybrids, and dyes across human sclera by electrical fields. Mol Vis. 9:569-78.

Ciavatta, V.T., Egertsdotter, U., Clapham, D., von Arnold, S., Cairney, J. (2002) A promoter from the loblolly pine PtNIP1;1 gene directs expression in an early-embryogenesis and suspensor-specific fashion. Planta, 215(4):694-8.

Ciavatta, V.T., Morillon, R., Pullman, G.S., Chrispeels, M.J., Cairney, J. (2001) An aquaglyceroporin is abundantly expressed early in the development of the suspensor and the embryo proper of loblolly pine. Plant Physiol. 127(4):1556-67.

Atlanta Vision Loss Center
Veterans Administration Hospital
1670 Clairmont Rd
Decatur, GA 30033
Tel: (404) 321-6111 x7578
Email: vciavatta@yahoo.com