Department of Medicine - Knoxville

The Molecular Imaging and Translational Research (MITR) Program at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee is organized into three principal components: Physics and Methodology, Radiopharmaceutical Development, and Applications for both animals and humans. The Physics and Methodology component is directed by David Townsend, PhD and who heads both animal and human research applications components with the close participation of Karl Hubner, MD.

Conformational diseases are a group of heterogeneous disorders resulting from the presence of proteins with structures that are abnormal. Unstable conformation of these faulty proteins causes them to aggregate and leads to the formation of inclusion bodies. Such diseases include Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases, Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy and Anti-trypsin deficiency. The goal of the Conformational Diseases and Therapeutics Research Laboratory is to 1) study the mechanisms of aggregation and 2) identify and design small molecules as inhibitor of protein aggregation that can be developed as novel therapeutic agents.

Phone number: (865) 305-8987

e-mail: vberthel@mc.utmck.edu

  Brian O'Nuallian, Ph.D.

     Assistant Professor

The pathologic deposition of normally soluble proteins or peptides as amyloid fibrils in the brain, pancreas, or other vital organs results in devastating medical illnesses including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and various types of inherited and acquired disorders. Of grave consequences is the increasing frequency of these conditions, the enormous medical costs incurred, and their negative impact on patients, family members, as well as society in general. Thus, the major goal of our research is to obtain new insight into how and why amyloid formation occurs and to develop antibodies and/or small molecules to more effectively diagnose, treat, and prevent Alzheimer’s and other amyloid-associated diseases.

Phone number: (865) 305-9146

e-mail: bonuall@mc.utmck.edu

  Stephen J. Kennel, Ph.D.

     Associate Professor

The goal of this work is to develop radiotracers and radioisotope delivery agents and test them in mouse models of breast and lung cancer. Our approaches address the efficiency of the targeting agent and the chemistry of attaching radioisotopes. We use phage display of single chain antibody molecules (scFv) to identify potential scFv that are selective for tumor cell surface targets or for tumor vasculature. These antibody fragments are then characterized for the specificity and avidity of binding to the target and matched with the appropriate radioisotopes. Molecular biology is used to make alternative forms of the scFv specifically suited for applications in imaging or therapy. Various types of small molecules are used as intermediates for attachment of the different radioisotopes to protein carriers. The hope is to develop systems that can be transitioned into use in diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Phone Number: (865) 305-9131