Susan B. Udin PhD
Susan B. Udin
PhD
Professor of Physiology
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Neurobiology
Professional Summary:
My research is aimed at determining how nerve cells establish appropriate connections during the development and regeneration of axonal connections. In recent years, my work has focused on the role of glutamate receptors in the development and regeneration of connections between the spinal cord and the muscle at the neuromuscular junction. Under normal conditions, each muscle fiber is innervated by a single nerve fiber, and Dr. Kirk Personius and I have demonstrated that glutamate receptors are integral to these processes. Until our work, this transmitter system had never been examined as a contributing factor. We now are exploring the mechanisms by which glutamate influences these important events.
For many years prior to this work, I studied related questions in a very different system. My work focused on how early visual input influences the formation of topographic binocular connections in the midbrain optic tectum of the frog, Xenopus laevis. The relay for visual input from each eye to the ipsilateral tectum, is a tegmental structure called the nucleus isthmi. The axons from this structure are guided to the optic tectum by unknown non-visual processes, but within the tectum, their final connections are completely dependent on the visual input coming from the 2 eyes. Only if both eyes are open, optically normal and exposed simultaneously to patterned input, will the isthomotectal projection form a map of the ipsilateral eye‘s field which is in proper topographic registration with the contralateral eye‘s field. Absence of visual input during development prevents the isthmic axons from terminating in a topographically organized way, and strabismus causes the isthmic axons to form an orderly but abnormal map which is in register with the map from the misaligned eye. The NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptor is essential to this process, and the transmitters acetylcholine and GABA also are being investigated for their roles in control of plasticity.
The techniques that have been used in these experiments include extracellular electrophysiological recording methods, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, calcium imaging, receptor binding, whole-cell patch-clamping, knockdown techniques to control activation of transmitter systems, and anatomical tracing methods.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1975)
- BS, Biophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1969)
Employment:
- Adjunct Professor, Communicative Disorders & Sciences, State University of New York (1994-present)
- Professor, Physiology, State University of New York (1992-present)
- Associate Professor, Physiology, State University of New York (1985–1992)
- Assistant Professor, Physiology, State University of New York (1979–1985)
Research Expertise:
- Anatomical tracing of connectivity: Use of anterograde tracers such as fluorescent dextrans to trace axon morphology and fluorescent microspheres to trace neuronal connectivity.
- Calcium imaging: Use of calcium sensitive probes to determine the responses of components of the brain to melatonin, GABA, and glutamate.
- Extracellular electrophysiology: Recording of visual activity in the CNS of amphibians and fish; patch-clamp recording in slices.
- Immunohistochemistry
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- July 2005–June 2010
UB Vision Infrastructure Center
NIH
Role: Contributor
$750,000 - February 2001–January 2006
Melatonin’s role in tectal physiology and plasticity
National Eye Institute
Role: Principal Investigator
$475,000 - September 1999–June 2003
Choline as a nicotinic agonist in the optic tectum of frogs
Whitehall Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$156,000 - May 1996–December 1997
Patch-clamp studies of cholinergic transmission in the tectum
NSF
Role: Co-Investigator
$31,560 - July 1994–March 1997
Optic Tectum: Cholinergic Mechanisms
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$329,779 - August 1996–September 1996
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the developing visual system of Xenopus
Sigma Xi
Role: Principal Investigator
$500 - October 1993–September 1996
NCAM exprerssion and plasticity in Xenopus tectum
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$72,900 - July 1991–March 1996
Effect of Visual Experience on CNS Connectivity-4
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,106,965 - July 1991–June 1993
Role of Glutamate Receptors in the Development of Orderly Binocular Connections-2
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$70,000 - July 1989–June 1991
Role of Glutamate Receptors in the Development of Orderly Binocular Connections
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$52,000 - July 1986–June 1991
Effect of Visual Experience on CNS Connectivity-3
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$522,000 - August 1989–July 1990
Predoctoral Graduate Research Training Fellowship for Warren J. Scherer
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$12,000 - July 1983–June 1986
Effect of Visual Experience on CNS Connectivity-2
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$256,098 - July 1983–June 1985
Effects of Abnormal Visual Experience on Developing Neurons
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$44,000 - July 1980–June 1983
Effect of Visual Experience on CNS Connectivity
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$179,458 - July 1982–August 1982
Burroughs-Wellcome Travel Grant -2
Burroughs-Wellcome Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$800 - February 1980–June 1981
Effects of Visual Experience on Development of Brain Connections
New York State Health Research Council
Role: Principal Investigator
$15,000 - January 1981–February 1981
Travel Grant for Visit to Hungary
National Academy of Sciences
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,500 - June 1980–July 1980
Burroughs-Wellcome Travel Grant
Burroughs-Wellcome Trust
Role: Principal Investigator
$650
Journal Articles:
- Personius KE, Slusher BS, Udin SB. Neuromuscular NMDA Receptors Modulate Developmental Synapse Elimination. J Neurosci. 2016; 36(34).
- Huilgol D, Udin S, Shimogori T, Saha B, Roy A, Aizawa S, Hevner RF, Meyer G, Ohshima T, Pleasure SJ, Zhao Y, Tole S, Udin SB. Dual origins of the mammalian accessory olfactory bulb revealed by an evolutionarily conserved migratory stream. Nat Neurosci. 2013; 16(2).
- Udin SB. Binocular maps in Xenopus tectum: Visual experience and the development of isthmotectal topography. Dev Neurobiol. 2012; 72(4).
- Banerjee A, Udin S, Krishna A, Udin SB. Regulation of leptin synthesis in white adipose tissue of the female fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx: role of melatonin with or without insulin. Exp Physiol. 2011; 96(2).
- Banerjee, A, Meenakumari, K.J. Udin, S. and Krishna, A. Melatonin regulates delayed embryonic development in the short-nosed fruit bat, C. sphinx. Reproduction. 2009; 138(6).
- Udin SB. Isthmotectal axons maintain normal arbor size but fail to support normal branch numbers in dark-reared Xenopus laevis. J Comp Neurol. 2008; 507(4).
- Udin SB. The instructive role of binocular vision in the Xenopus tectum. Biol Cybern. 2007; 97(5-6).
- Gruberg E, Dudkin E, Wang Y, Marín G, Salas C, Sentis E, Letelier J, Mpodozis J, Malpeli J, Cui H, Ma R, Northmore D, Udin S, Udin SB. Influencing and interpreting visual input: the role of a visual feedback system. J Neurosci. 2006; 26(41).
- Udin SB. Chronic melatonin and binocular plasticity in Xenopus frogs. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 2005; 142(3).
- K. K. Rybicka Udin SB. Connections of Contralaterally Projecting Isthmotectal Axons and GABA-immunoreactive Neurons in Xenopus Tectum: An Ultrastructural Study. Visual Neuroscience. 2005; 22(3).
- Prada C, Udin SB, Wiechmann AF, Zhdanova IV. Stimulation of melatonin receptors decreases calcium levels in Xenopus tectal cells by activating GABAC receptors. J Neurophysiol. 2005; 94.
- Prada C, Udin SB. Melatonin decreases calcium levels in retinotectal axons of Xenopus laevisby indirect activation of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors. Brain Res. 2005; 1053(1-2).
- Wiechmann AF, Udin SB, Summers Rada JA. Localization of Mel1b melatonin receptor-like immunoreactivity in ocular tissues of Xenopus laevis. Exp Eye Res. 2004; 79(4).
- Guo Y, Sánchez C, Susan Udin. MAP2 phosphorylation and visual plasticity in Xenopus.. Brain Res. 2001; 905(1-2).
- Guo Y, Susan Udin. The development of abnormal axon trajectories after rotation of one eye in Xenopus.. J Neurosci. 2000; 20(11).
- Margaret Titmus, Tsai HJ, Lima R, Susan Udin. Effects of choline and other nicotinic agonists on the tectum of juvenile and adult Xenopus frogs: a patch-clamp study.. Neuroscience. 1999; 91(2).
- Williams DK, Gannon-Murakami L, Rougon G, Susan Udin. Polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule and plasticity of ipsilateral connections in Xenopus tectum.. Neuroscience. 1996; 70(1).
- Scherer WJ, Susan Udin. Differential intertectal delay between Rana pipiens and Xenopus laevis: implications for species-specific visual plasticity.. Vis Neurosci. 1995; 12(5).
- Scherer WJ, Susan Udin. Concanavalin A reduces habituation in the tectum of the frog.. Brain Res. 1994; 667(2).
- Rybicka KK, Susan Udin. Ultrastructure and GABA immunoreactivity in layers 8 and 9 of the optic tectum of Xenopus laevis.. Eur J Neurosci. 1994; 6(10).
- Bandarchi J, Scherer WJ, Susan Udin. Acceleration by NMDA treatment of visually induced map reorganization in juvenile Xenopus after larval eye rotation.. J Neurobiol. 1994; 25(4).
- Scherer WJ, Susan Udin. Xenopus exhibits seasonal variation in retinotectal latency but not tecto-isthmo-tectal latency.. J Comp Physiol [A]. 1992; 171(2).
- Susan Udin, Fisher MD, Norden JJ. Isthmotectal axons make ectopic synapses in monocular regions of the tectum in developing Xenopus laevis frogs.. J Comp Neurol. 1992; 322(4).
- Susan Udin, Scherer WJ, Constantine-Paton M. Physiological effects of chronic and acute application of N-methyl-D-aspartate and 5-amino-phosphonovaleric acid to the optic tectum of Rana pipiens frogs.. Neuroscience. 1992; 49(3).
- Scherer WJ, Susan Udin. Chronic effects of NMDA and APV on tectal output in Xenopus laevis.. Vis Neurosci. 1991; 6(2).
- Scherer WJ, Susan Udin. Latency and temporal overlap of visually elicited contralateral and ipsilateral firing in Xenopus tectum during and after the critical period.. Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 1991; 58(1).
- Susan Udin, Scherer WJ. Experience-dependent formation of binocular maps in frogs. Possible involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1991; 627.
- Susan Udin, Scherer WJ. Restoration of the plasticity of binocular maps by NMDA after the critical period in Xenopus.. Science. 1990; 249(4969).
- Susan Udin, Fisher MD, Norden JJ. Ultrastructure of the crossed isthmotectal projection in Xenopus frogs.. J Comp Neurol. 1990; 292(2).
- Susan Udin. Plasticity in the ipsilateral visuotectal projection persists after lesions of one nucleus isthmi in Xenopus.. Exp Brain Res. 1990; 79(2).
- Scherer WJ, Susan Udin. N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists prevent interaction of binocular maps in Xenopus tectum.. J Neurosci. 1989; 9(11).
- Susan Udin. Development of the nucleus isthmi in Xenopus, II: Branching patterns of contralaterally projecting isthmotectal axons during maturation of binocular maps.. Vis Neurosci. 1989; 2(2).
- Fisher MD, Susan Udin. Connections between the nucleus isthmi and the tectum in larval and post-metamorphic axolotls.. J Neurobiol. 1988; 19(2).
- Collett TS, Susan Udin. Frogs use retinal elevation as a cue to distance.. J Comp Physiol [A]. 1988; 163(5).
- Susan Udin. A projection from the mesencephalic tegmentum to the nucleus isthmi in the frogs, Rana pipiens and Acris crepitans.. Neuroscience. 1987; 21(2).
- Collett TS, Susan Udin, Finch DJ. A possible mechanism for binocular depth judgements in anurans.. Exp Brain Res. 1987; 66(1).
- Susan Udin. The role of visual experience in the formation of binocular projections in frogs.. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 1985; 5(1-2).
- Susan Udin, Keating MJ, Dawes EA, Grant S, Deakin JF. Intertectal neuronal plasticity in Xenopus laevis: persistence despite catecholamine depletion.. Brain Res. 1985; 351(1).
- Susan Udin, Fisher MD. The development of the nucleus isthmi in Xenopus laevis. I. Cell genesis and the formation of connections with the tectum.. J Comp Neurol. 1985; 232(1).
- Susan Udin, Fisher MD. Visualization of HRP-filled axons in unsectioned, flattened optic tecta of frogs.. J Neurosci Methods. 1983; 9(4).
- Susan Udin. Abnormal visual input leads to development of abnormal axon trajectories in frogs.. Nature. 1983; 301(5898).
- Susan Udin, Gaze RM. Expansion and retinotopic order in the goldfish retinotectal map after large retinal lesions.. Exp Brain Res. 1983; 50(2-3).
- Susan Udin, Keating MJ. Plasticity in a central nervous pathway in xenopus: anatomical changes in the isthmotectal projection after larval eye rotation.. J Comp Neurol. 1981; 203(4).
- Susan Udin, Gruberg ER. Removal of retinal input fails to elicit isthmo-tectal sprouting in the frog.. Neurosci Lett. 1981; 27(2).
- Susan Udin, Schneider GE. Compressed retinotectal projection in hamsters: fewer ganglion cells project to tectum after neonatal tectal lesions.. Exp Brain Res. 1981; 43(3-4).
- Gruberg ER, Susan Udin. Topographic projections between the nucleus isthmi and the tectum of the frog Rana pipiens.. J Comp Neurol. 1978; 179(3).
- Susan Udin. Permanent disorganization of the regenerating optic tract in the frog.. Exp Neurol. 1978; 58(3).
- Susan Udin. Rearrangements of the retinotectal projection in Rana pipiens after unilateral caudal half-tectum ablation.. J Comp Neurol. 1977; 173(3).
Abstracts:
- Susan Udin. Retinotectal compression in the hamster: a quantitative study with horseradish peroxidase [proceedings]. J Physiol. 1978; 280.
Professional Memberships:
- Association for Women in Science (1979–present)
- Society for Neuroscience (1976–present)
- Women In Neuroscience
Presentations:
- "Vision shapes the brain: binocular connections in the Xenopus tectum" Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (2010)
- "Vision shapes the brain: binocular connections in the Xenopus tectum" Anatomy Department, University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong (2008)
- "Very, very slow eye movements" Oculomotor Control, Gordon Conference, Gordon Conference, Other models (2007)
- "Binocular development in Xenopus tectum" Biology Department, Cleveland State University (2007)
- "Development and Plasticity of Binocular Maps in the Isthmotectal System" Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Influencing and Interpreting Visual Input: The Role of a Visual Feedback System, Mini-symposium (2006)
- "Development and Plasticity of Binocular Maps in the Isthmotectal System" Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Society for Neuroscience, Mini-symposium on “Influencing and Interpreting (2006)
- "Visual experience shapes the brain: Binocular maps in the developing Xenopus tectum" Humboldt University Seminar Series, Humboldt University, Institute of Theoretical Biology (2006)
- "Visual experience shapes the brain: Binocular maps in the developing Xenopus tectum" Bernstein Colloquium, Technische Universitat, Department of Physics (2006)
- "Visual experience shapes the brain: Binocular maps in the developing Xenopus tectum" Biology Department Seminar Series, Washington University, Biology Department (2006)
- "Melatonin: A Shot in the Dark" Symposium in Honor of J. Y. Lettvin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biology Department (2000)
- "Brain Research in the Millenium" Rose and Al Paster Distinguished Lecture Series, State University of New York (1999)
- "The environment shapes the brain: The influence of visual experience on formation of neuronal connections during development" Summer Institute in Cognitive Science, State University of New York (1994)
- "Coping with variations in development: Matching the brain to the environment" Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Society for Neuroscience, Sensory Systems Social (1993)
- "Activity-mediated remodeling of binocular connections in the tectum of Xenopus frogs" Plenary Session: Postembryonic modeling of neurons and circuits, Third International Congress of Neuroethology (1992)
- "The role of the toad's nucleus isthmi in prey-catching behavior" Second Symposium on Visuomotor Coordination in Frogs and, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Second Symposium on Visuomotor Coordination in F (1992)
- "The role of NMDA receptors in development of orderly binocular connections in Xenopu" , Keystone Symposia (1992)
- "NMDA Receptors and Intertectal Plasticity in Xenopus" Symposium in honor of R. M. Gaze upon his retirement, University of Edinburgh (1991)
- "The role of the NMDA receptor in binocular development" Third Meeting in Neural Development, Columbia University (1991)
- "Restoring Neural Plasticity with NMDA" Ophthalmology Research Symposium, State University of New York (1990)
- "The NMDA receptor and binocular maps in the optic tectum" Symposium on “Activity-Driven Synaptic Changes in Learning and Development”, State University of New York (1990)
- "The NMDA receptor and binocular convergence in the optic tectum" Symposium on “The Role of Activity on Development of the Visual System”, Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting (1989)
- "The role of visual experience in the formation of binocular connections from the nucleus isthmi in the frog" Meetings In Neural Development, Columbia University (1986)
- "Isthmotectal circuitry" Conference on Principles of Axon Development, Rockefeller University, The Neurosciences Institute (1985)
- "The role of visual experience in the formation of binocular projections in frog" Symposium on Activity-Dependent Synaptic Changes, SUNY (1984)
- "The role of visual input on the formation of orderly connections in the frog's brain" Ninth Symposium on Ocular and Visual Development, Temple University and Pennsylvania College of Optometry (1984)
- "Preliminary observations on the morphology of developing isthmo-tectal axons" Developmental Neurobiology, FASEB Summer Research Conference (1983)
- "Isthmotectal plasticity" Conference on Retinotectal Connections, Rockefeller University, The Neurosciences Institute (1982)
- "Development of orderly connections between the NI and the tectum in Xenopus" Symposium on Visuomotor Coordination in Frogs, University of Massachusetts (1981)
- "Competition and Plasticity in Amphibians" Retinotectal Connections Symposium, Neuroscience Research Program (1979)
Service Activities:
- Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Sample Committee
- Women in Neuroscience Miriam Salpter Lifetime Acheivement Award Committee; Award committee; Reviewer (2004–present)
- Ad hoc Committee on Promotions to Unqualified Rank; Medical school promotions committee; Chair (2002–present)