Christine E. Schaner Tooley PhD

Christine Schaner Tooley

Christine E. Schaner Tooley
PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Biochemistry

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Ageing; Cell growth, differentiation and development; DNA Replication, Recombination and Repair; Gene Expression; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Signal Transduction; Stem Cells; Transcription Factors

Contact Information
955 Main Street
Office 4214
Lab 4220
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 829-2978
Fax: (716) 829-2725
ceschane@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

The main goal of my research group is to understand the role of N-terminal methylation in human development and disease. I identified the first eukaryotic N-terminal methyltransferases, NRMT1 and NRMT2, and am now working to identify how these enzymes affect cancer development and ageing. Our laboratory has shown that NRMT1 functions as a tumor suppressor in mammary glands, and its loss sensitizes breast cancer cells to DNA damaging chemotherapeutics. We have also created the first NRMT1 knockout mouse and shown it to have developmental defects, as well as exhibit phenotypes of premature ageing, including neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. We hypothesize that these premature ageing phenotypes may result from misregulation of different stem cell populations, as we have recently shown that loss of NRMT1 alters both muscle and neural stem cell differentiation. Currently, we are working to understand the exact biochemical pathways that lead from loss of N-terminal methylation to these phenotypes. We are also studying how post-translational modifications on the N-terminus of proteins may interact and dictate protein function, similar to the post-translational modifications found on histone tails.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Biochemistry, University of Virginia (2011)
  • PhD, Biochemistry, Cell, & Developmental Biology, Emory University (2005)
  • BS, Biochemistry, University of Rochester, Magna Cum Laude (2000)

Employment:

  • Associate Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2016–2019)
  • Assistant Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville (2011–2016)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • January 2022–December 2026
    Expanding the Biological Roles of N-terminal methylation
    NIGMS
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,978,690
  • September 2015–June 2022
    Deciphering the Code of N-terminal Post-translational Modification
    NIGMS
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,504,140
  • April 2018–March 2020
    HNRNPA2B1 as a reader of RNA methylation in breast cancer
    NCI
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $356,370
  • September 2013–August 2015
    The Role of the First Mammalian N-terminal Methyltransferase, NRMT1, in tumorigenesis
    NCI
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $454,074
  • September 2011–August 2013
    The Role of the First Mammalian N-term. Methyltransferase, NRMT, in tumorigenesis
    NCI
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $176,934
  • September 2006–December 2008
    Regulation of RCC1 through N-terminal serine methylation
    NIGMS
    Role: Principal Investigator

Journal Articles:

See all (18 more)

Books and Book Chapters:


Professional Memberships:

  • American Society for Cell Biology; Member
  • Association of Biochemistry Educators; Member
  • International Society of Protein Termini; Member

Presentations:

  • "N-terminal methylation and stem cell development" 2022 EMBO Workshop, Protein termini: From mechanisms to biological impact (2022)
  • "N-terminal methylation by NRMT1 regulates neural stem cell development and neurodegeneration" 2022 FASEB Summer Research Conference - The Biological Methylation Conference (2022)
  • "The role of N-terminal methylation in development and disease" Proteins and Biology Symposium (2022)
  • "Panel Discussion I: Tenure Track" Moffitt Cancer Center Junior Scientist Retreat (2021)

Service Activities:

  • Department of Microbiology & Immunology Faculty Search Committee (2023–present)
  • Luxembourg National Research Fund; Reviewer (2023)
  • Search Committee for Senior Associate Dean of Research (2023)
  • JSMBS Research Day; Faculty Chair (2023)
  • NIH CSF1/CSF2 Study Section; Ad hoc reviewer (2023)
  • Faculty Candidate Search Committee (2022–2023)
  • Department of Structural Biology Faculty Search Committee (2022–present)
  • NIH Special Interest Panel ZRG1-BCMB-J(55)R; Ad hoc reviewer (2022)
  • Medical School Admissions; Interviewer (2022–present)
  • Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, Allen Distinguished Investigator Program; Ad hoc reviewer (2022)
  • Poster judge for annual CSTEP Summer Research Poster Symposium; Poster Judge (2021–present)
  • Served on NIH Special Interest Panel ZRG1 F05 U20 for Feb. and June study sections; Grant reviewer (2021)
  • ; Manuscript Reviewer (2021–present)
  • UB School of Dental Medicine Executive Council; Committee Member (2020–present)
  • Ad Hoc Committee on Promotions to Academic (Tenurial) Ranks; Committee Member (2019–2022)
  • Natural Sciences Interdisciplinary Masters Program Admission Committee; Committee Member (2019–present)
  • MD/PhD Admissions Committee; Metric Reviewer and Interviewer (2019–present)
  • Dept. of Biochemistry representative to the PPBS Steering/Curriculum Committee; Committee Member (2018–present)
  • Served as a JSMBS representative to the Faculty Senate; Faculty Senator (2017–2021)

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

955 Main Street
Office 4214
Lab 4220
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 829-2978
Fax: (716) 829-2725
ceschane@buffalo.edu