Download our brochure to learn more about Physiology ...

Physiology and Neurobiology
at the
University of Connecticut
The Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB)
in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University
of Connecticut offers unique opportunities for students
interested in the biological sciences. The discipline is
devoted to understanding human and animal physiology
using approaches ranging from studies of animal
behavior to the investigation of molecular mechanisms of
cellular function. Expertise within the department spans
several fields including neuroscience, endocrinology,
renal and muscle physiology, and membrane function.
The Physiology and Neurobiology major
combines the advantages of specialization in this
exciting field with the breadth supplied by a variety of
courses from related departments.
The Physiology and Neurobiology
Curriculum
A thorough understanding of human and animal
physiology starts with a strong foundation in basic math
and sciences. The PNB curriculum has been designed to
expose students to physiological processes at all levels:
from the interactions of individual molecules to the
behavior of the whole animal.
To pursue a B.S. in Physiology and
Neurobiology (PNB) students begin by taking calculus,
general chemistry, general biology and general physics,
in addition to other general education requirements.
Courses that uniquely define Physiology &
Neurobiology may be taken as early as the third semester.
Enhanced Human Physiology & Anatomy and Animal
Physiology provide a strong foundation for
understanding the structure, function and principles of
physiology. More advanced courses such as Biology of
the Brain and Mammalian Endocrinology concentrate on
specific areas. Laboratory and research skills are
developed through the laboratory component of
Enhanced Human Physiology & Anatomy as well as the
Investigations in Neurobiology laboratory course.
Required courses in Organic Chemistry,
Biochemistry and Genetics add to the student’s
understanding of the molecular and cellular processes
underlying normal physiological function. A student's
curriculum may be individualized further with courses
selected from other departments (such as Molecular and
Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
Psychology, Pathobiology, Chemistry).
Course Planning
Undergraduate Research Experience
The Physiology and Neurobiology department
is committed to broadening the scope of undergraduate
education by adding exposure to, and involvement in,
state-of-the-art research to traditional classroom and
laboratory training.
PNB faculty maintain active research programs
investigating a wide range of biological and biomedical
problems. These activities provide opportunities for
students to observe and participate in ongoing research
projects.
Over the past five years, more than one hundred
undergraduate students conducted independent research
projects in our faculty's laboratories. This partial list of
present and past undergraduate projects demonstrates the
range of research being carried out by our
undergraduates:
• Molecular characterization of inhibitory
hippocampal neurons.
• Molecular characterization of GABA receptors in
the brain.
• The role of NG2 glia in axonal growth and
regeneration.
• Regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation.
• The fate of NG2 cells using newly generated
transgenic mice.
• Role of glia in the central control of breathing
(identification and characterization of pH
sensitive brainstem glial cells
• Aphakia: a mouse model for Parkinson’s
Disease
• Ependymal cell replacement in the adult brain
• Neurotransmitter regulation of the
subventricular zone
• The aging subventricular zone
• In vitro culture of neural stem cells
• Immunostaining of the adult subventricular
zone
• BrdU incorporation in the adult subventricular
zone
In addition, PNB undergraduate students have received
the prestigious Goldwater Scholar Award (National
Competition), the Sigma Xi Award (National
Competition), SURF Award, and several Outstanding
Senior Undergraduate in PNB Awards.
PNB Majors have pursued careers in:
• Academic Research
• Biotechnology
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Optometry
• Veterinary Medicine
• Physical Therapy
• Paramedicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• K-12 Teaching
• Higher Education
Students considering a PNB major should enroll in the
following courses during their freshman year:
• Fall Semester: Principles of Biology (BIOL 1107),
General Chemistry (CHEM 1127Q), Calculus (MATH
1131Q or 1120Q) and a course in English.
• Spring Semester: Principles of Biology (BIOL 1108),
General Chemistry (CHEM 1128Q), Calculus (MATH
1132Q or 1121Q).
Planning beyond the freshman year should be done in
consultation with an advisor. Students who have declared
PNB as their major will be assigned an advisor from
among the PNB faculty. To assist with course planning a
checklist of degree requirements and other material are
available from the PNB department office and website
(http://www.pnb.uconn.edu).
• Ultrastructural analysis of bushy cells synaptic
inputs
• Ultrastructural analysis of excitatory endings in
the molecular layer of the Rhesus monkey
dorsal cochlear nucleus
• Developmental analysis of AMPA receptors in
the cerebellum
• Modification of dendrites by growth factors
(Hepatocyte growth factor enhances dendritic
arborization of hippocampal neurons)
• Synaptic signaling by growth factors
(Phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunits is
induced by hepatocyte growth factor)

PNB Faculty and their Research
Interests
Marie E. Cantino, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University
of Washington. Molecular mechanisms regulating
strength of contraction in skeletal and cardiac muscle
William D. Chapple, Professor, Ph.D., Stanford. Reflex
and postural control mechanisms used in arthropod
movement
Joanne Conover, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Bath
University. Neural stem cell biology and its application
in neurodegenerative disease.
Joseph F. Crivello, Professor, Ph.D., University of
Wisconsin. Molecular and biochemical impact of aquatic
pollutants on marine organisms
Angel L. de Blas, Professor, Ph.D., Indiana University.
Molecular structure and function of neurotransmitter
receptors
Robert V. Gallo, Professor, Ph.D., Purdue. Regulation of
pulsatile luteinizing hormone release during different
physiological conditions
Joseph J. Lo Turco, Professor, Ph.D., Stanford. Cellular
and molecular mechanisms that direct the generation of
neurons in the developing brain
Andrew Moiseff, Professor, Ph.D., Cornell.
Neuroethology of vertebrate and invertebrate sensory
systems
Daniel K. Mulkey, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Wright
State University. Cellular and molecular mechanisms by
which the brain controls breathing.
Akiko Nishiyama, Associate Professor, M.D., Ph.D.,
Nippon Medical School & Niigata University.
Development and function of glial cells in the brain
J. Larry Renfro, Professor and Head, Ph.D., Oklahoma.
Comparative physiology of osmoregulation;
transepithelial transport and excretion of environmental
pollutants in tissues
Maria E. Rubio, Associate Professor, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Al icante & Institute of Neuroscience.
Targeting mechanisms and distribution of receptor
channels in the central nervous system.
Anastasios Tzingounis, Assistant Professor; Ph.D.,
OHSU. The cellular and molecular basis of controlling
neuronal excitability in the mammalian brain.
Randall S. Walikonis, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Mayo
Clinic. Molecular structure and signaling mechanisms of
synapses
Affiliated Faculty
Lawrence E. Armstrong Professor (Kinesiology), Ph.D.,
Ball State. Human physiological responses to exercise,
dietary intervention, heat tolerance, and acclimatization
to heat
Ben A. Bahr, Associate Professor (Pharmaceutical
Sciences) Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara.
Drug discovery and mechanisms of neuroprotection in
models of Alzheimer-type pathogenesis, stroke-related
excitotoxicity, and neurotoxin exposure.
Thomas Chen, Professor (Molecular and Cell Biology),
Ph.D., Alberta. Structure, evolution, regulation and
molecular actions of growth hormone and insulin-like
growth factor genes; regulation of foreign genes in
transgenic fish; development of model transgenic fish
William J. Kraemer, Professor/Director of Research,
(Neag School of Education). Research involves the study
of the body's response and adaptations to resistance
training from the cellular to the whole body levels.
Carl M. Maresh, Professor and Head (Kinesiology),
Ph.D., Wyoming. Neuroendocrine and substrate responses
to exercise stress and training in humans
Linda S. Pescatello, Professor (School of Allied Health),
Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Acute and chronic
hemodynamic responses to dynamic exercise as
modulated by genetic and environmental influences.
Steven A. Zinn, Professor (Animal Science), Ph.D.,
Michigan State. Expression of growth factors during
development
Adam Zweifach, Professor (MCB) Ph.D. Yale University.
Signal transduction in immune cells
Cover Photo: Magnified surface of a pig kidney cell
grown in tissue culture. A single cilium is surrounded
by numerous microvilli. Photographed by James
Romanow of the University of Connecticut Electron
Microscope Facility. Courtesy of J. L. Renfro.
Additional Information
Department of Physiology and Neurobiology
75 North Eagleville Road, U-3156
Storrs, CT 06269-3156
Telephone (860) 486-3305
Fax (860) 486-3303
WWW: http://www.pnb.uconn.edu
Revised September 2008