William Welch

Department:  Biochemistry
Academic Unit:  CABRN
Title:  Professor Emeritus
Professional degrees (Degree, year, Institution):  Ph.D., 1968, University of Kansas 

Contact Information

Mail Stop:  330
Phone:  784-4102
Fax: 784-4102
e-mail: welch@unr.edu

http://www.ag.unr.edu/welch/
http://www.cabnr.unr.edu/BMB/Faculty_Staff_Details.aspx?hIj7_GDp0x45=34

Research Area(s)

Biophysics and Biochemistry

Research Interests

Structure and function of ryanodine receptors
Ryanodine receptors (RyR, a.k.a. calcium-induced calcium release channels) are an essential component of excitation-contraction coupling.  RyR respond to a large number of effectors and thus serve as integrators of cellular status. RyR are found in non-contractile and non-excitable tissue and thus have a general role in calcium signaling. RyR are involved in several diseases including cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac sudden death syndrome, malignant hyperthermia.  Ryanoid QSAR and molecular dynamics are the principle tools being used at Reno.

Interaction of host defense proteins with capsules of pathogenic microorganisms
Many pathogens synthesize an extracellular capsule which serves an essential virulence factor.  This material allows the organism to evade variously acquired immunity, innate immunity, and cell-mediated host defense  systems.  Cryptococcus neoformans and Bacillus anthracis serve as model organisms.  Spectrofluorometric, hydrodynamics, and computer-assisted modeling are being used to elucidate the interactions between capsular material and host defense proteins.  Specific topics include epitope recognition and the assembly of the components into bi-, ter- and multimeric complexes.  The physical studies are correlated with the ability of monoclonal antibodies to protect against disease.

The ClC-3 chloride channel
This chloride channel exists in three distinct isoforms.  Computational techniques are being used to develop an atomistic explanation for the physiological differences.

Enzymology of pheromone production
This project seeks to develop the enzymic basis of pheromone biosynthesis.

Selected Publications

Mead-Savery, F. C., Wang, R., Tanna-Topan, B., Chen, S. R. W., Welch, W. H., Williams, A. J. (2009). Changes in negative charge in the luminal mouth of the pore alter. Biophysical Journal, 96(4), 1374-1387.

Sandstrom, P., Ginzel, M. D., Bearfield, J. C., Welch, W. H., Blomquist, G., Tittiger, C. (2008). Myrcene Hydroxylases do not Determine Enantiomeric Composition of Pheromonal Ipsdienol in Ips spp.. J. Chem. Ecol., 34(12), 1584-1592.

Phan, Q. T., Meyers, C. L., Fu, Y., Sheppard, D. C., Yeaman, M. R., Welch, W. H., Ibrahim, A. S., Edwards, Jr., J. E., Filler, S. E. (2007). Als3 is a Candida albicans invasin that binds to cadherins and induces endocytosis by host cells.. PLoS Biology, 5(3), e64.

Ranatunga, K. M., Chen, S. R., Ruest, L., Welch, W. H., Williams, A. J. (2007). Quantification of the effects of a ryanodine receptor channel mutation on interaction with a ryanoid.. Mol. Membr. Biol., 24(3), 185-193.

Kozel, T. R., Thorkildson, P., Brandt, S., Welch, W. H., Lovchik, J. A., Aucoin, D. A., Vilai, J., Lyons, C. R. (2007). Protective and immunochemical activities of monoclonal antibodies reactive with the Bacillus anthracis. Infection and Immunity, 75(1), 152-163.