Kevin D. Gillis, DSc
Associate Professor Biological EngineeringAssociate Professor Medical Pharmacology and Physiology
Office Location: 222B Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center
Office Phone: 573-884-8805
GillisK@missouri.edu
Research Interests
Research Description
Recent work demonstrates that protein kinase C potently enhances secretion of catecholamines from adrenal chromaffin cells by increasing the size of the "readily-releasable pool" of secretory granules. Gillis would like to extend this work to understand in greater detail how protein kinases modulate exocytosis — in particular, identification of specific kinetic steps that are affected by protein kinases and determine the molecular targets responsible for the effects. Since protein kinases play a central role in regulating both secretion of hormones and release of neurotransmitter at synapses, this knowledge should have an impact on fields as diverse as the regulation of cardiovascular function and the formation of short-term memory. Gillis' lab's research also has a strong engineering component with particular emphasis on developing or refining techniques for studying secretion. For example, membrane capacitance measurements are often used as a high-time-resolution assay of changes in membrane surface area that accompany secretion. The technology is currently being extended so that the capacitance signal can be extracted with an optimal signal-to-noise ratio even in the presence of nonlinear conductances which accompany membrane depolarization. A number of optical techniques are also being explored for their potential in providing new insight into the regulation of secretion.
Professional Background
- Obtained BS in electrical engineering, Washington University.
- Obtained MS in electrical engineering, Washington University.
- Obtained DSc in electrical engineering, certificate in biomedical engineering, Washington University.
- Completed postdoctoral training at Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goettingen, Germany.
Selected Publications
- Gillis, K.D., and Chow, R.H., "Kinetics of exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells," Sem. Cell Develop. Biol. in press, 1997.
- Gillis, K. D., Mößner, R., and Neher, E., "Protein kinase C enhances exocytosis from chromaffin cells by increasing the size of the readily releasable pool of secretory granules," Neuron, 16: 1209-1220, 1996.
- Gillis, K. D., and Misler, S., "Single cell assay of exocytosis from pancreatic islet B cells," Pfluegers Archiv., 420: 121-123, 1992.
- Gillis, K. D., Pun, R.Y.K., and Misler, S., "Single cell assay of exocytosis from adrenal chromaffin cells using 'perforated patch' recording," Pfluegers Archiv., 418: 611-613, 1991.