Jim Fogleman

Professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Research Interests:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”

Dr. Fogleman has recently joined the ERI’s research program focusing on ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease), a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive paralysis. Dr. Cathy Kunst is a collaborator on this project which is housed in the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute at the University of Denver.

ALS is known to have both sporadic and familial forms. Mutations in the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1) account for 10 to 20 percent of the inherited ALS. Over 100 different mutations in the SOD1 gene can cause ALS in humans and at least 8 of these have been shown to produce an ALS-like phenotype when expressed in transgenic mice. Dr. Kunst previously found that one of these mutants (murine G86R SOD1) is highly dependent upon the strain background. Depending on the background, onset of ALS due to this SOD1 mutation can vary from an average of 103 days to 211 days. Dr. Kunst and her research group have isolated several modifier genes, which reflect the differences in the genetic background of certain mouse strains and are characterizing their genetic location, expression, and impact on ALS onset. Identification of modifier genes and characterization and their mechanism(s) of action may lead to as yet unidentified targets of pharmacological intervention for ALS.

• Danielson, P.B., Buechs, J., Stöckmann, C. and Fogleman, J.C. (2004) Maximizing cell densities in miniprep-scale cultures with H15 medium and improved oxygen transfer. Biochemical Engineering Journal 17(3):175-180.
• Azadan, R.J. Fogleman, J.C., and Danielson, P.B. (2002) Capillary electrophoresis sequencing: maximum read length at minimal cost. Biotechniques 32(1):24-6.
• Fogleman, J.C. and Danielson, P.B. (2001) Analysis of fragment homology among DNA sequences from cytochrome P450 families 4 and 6. Genetica 110:257-265. (DOI: 10.1023/A:1012762313991)
• Fogleman, J.C. and Danielson, P.B., (2001) Chemical interactions in the cactus-microorganism-Drosophila model system of the Sonoran Desert. American Zoologist 41:877-889.
• Vigil, L.J., Danielson, P.B., Sollars, C., Yee, T.M., and Fogleman, J.C., (2000) Achieving shaker flask-scale densities in miniprep-scale cultures with baffled culture tubes and growth medium H15. Biotechniques 26:1207-1209.
• Fogleman, J.C., (2000) Response of Drosophila melanogaster to selection for P450-mediated tolerance to isoquinoline alkaloids. Chemico-Biological Interactions 125:93-105. (DOI: 10.1016/S0009-2797(99)00161-1)