Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Biography

Dr Unlap received his PhD in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology from Kansas State University followed by postdoctoral trainings in Oncology and Behavioral Neurobiology under Drs Andrew Kraft and Richard Jope at the University of Alabama at Birmingham studying the roles that immediate early genes play in the pathogenesis of malignancy and neuronal degeneration respectively Dr Unlap was given a faculty appointment in the Department of Medicine where he began his study of the role that the Na/Ca2 exchanger might play in the pathogenesis of salt sensitive hypertension From 19972007 Dr Unlap directed the Heritage Center Biotech Curriculum for high school students and codirected BioTek Works a biotechnology workforce development program funded by Jefferson County and the State of Alabama From 20072008 he was a faculty member at the Tulane Medical School but relocated to help start the University of Alabama at Birmingham Biotechnology Program where he currently serves as a faculty member

Research Interest

There are three main research areas in the lab.The role of the Na+ or Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) in hypertension.We have cloned the NCX from the vasculature of salt sensitive and salt resistant rat and found that they differ by a single base mutation which predisposes the salt sensitive rat to hypertension. We are currently assessing the role that this mutation plays in mediating the effects of oxidative stressin hypertension. The use of antisense technology in treating latent TB.One of the most serious health problems affecting the worlds population is the presence of TB in the latent form where the mycobacterium can hibernate for years and then becomes active and infective. Using molecular beacon technology we are exploring the use of a delivery system which will deliver a molecular beacon antisense RNA against the MCE protein of the mycobacterium which will not only pinpoint the location of the mycobacterium but also eradicate the disease.The use of covalent modifications to Potentiate the effects of anti Parkinson and anticancer drugs.We are currently working on assessing the effects of different covalent modifications of existing drugs for the treatment of Parkinsons disease and cancer.Most modifications tested thus far Potentiate the effects of drugs up to four fold.

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Publications

A Short Interfering RNA (siRNA) Molecular Beacon for the Detection of Mycobacterial Infection

The Tripeptide, GHK, Induces Programmed Cell Death in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Remo George, Norman Bolus, Shawn Williams, Joseph Garner, Kathy Nugent and M. Tino Unlap

Research Article: J Biotechnol Biomater 2012, 2:5

DOI: 10.4172/2155-952X.1000147

IPX-750, A Dopamine Gluconamine That Binds D1/D5 Receptors and Has Anti-Parkinsonian Effects in Three Animal Models, is Transported across the Blood Brain Barrier

Luay E. Matalka, Ashley Ford and M. Tino Unlap

Review Article: J Biotechnol Biomater 2012, 2:5

DOI: 10.4172/2155-952X.1000144

Roger Laine and M. Tino Unlap

Research Article: J Biotechnol Biomater 2012, 2:5

DOI: 10.4172/2155-952X.1000142