1. The boomerang approach to science: Research across the world and back
Eva R. Chin
Pfizer Global Research & Development 1

2. The science career journey

3. The science career journey
B.H.K University of Windsor
M.Sc McMaster University
B.Ed Queens’ University
Ph.D University of Waterloo
Post-doc # University of Sydney
Post-doc # UT Southwestern Medical Center
Faculty Position 1999 University of Queensland
Industry Appointment Pfizer – Groton, CT
Pfizer – La Jolla, CA

4. The journey begins ….
Ph.D.
Dr. Howie Green

5. Excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle
Plasma
membrane
DHPR
RYR SR
Ca2+
Ca2+
ATP ADP + Pi
 Ca2+
Force production

6. The journey continues …
Post-doc #1
Professor David Allen

7. Rat single fibre from Flexor Digitorum Brevus (FDB) muscle

8. Single skeletal muscle fibre technique for measuring contractility & Ca2+ transients

9. Prolonged Ca2+ transients from “chronic” 10 Hz stimulation

10. The journey resumes …
Post-doc #2
Dr. R. Sanders Williams

11. Excitation-transcription coupling in skeletal muscle
Ca2+
DHPR P
Plasma
membrane
DHPR
 [Ca2+]i
RYR SR
Ca2+
Ca2+
Ca-CAM
ATP ADP + Pi
 Ca2+
Force production
Ca2+ -dependent
transcriptional pathways

12. Hypothesis: Low amplitude long, duration Ca2+ transients activate slow muscle gene expression
NFAT
MEF2
Ca2+
Ca2+
CAM
Expression of slow
fibre program
CnA-active
NFAT P

13. Generation of transgenic mice to test hypothesis

14. The journey resumes … Faculty position July – Dec 1999
University of Queensland

15. The journey detours …
Principal Scientist
Groton, CT

16. International collaborations continue: PIIP funding
Pfizer-Australia Funding
Professor David Allen
Dr. Richard Harvey

17. National collaborations are also valued
Pfizer Global R&D Funding
Dr. George Ordway (UT Southwestern)
Dr. Karyn Esser (UIC/ U of Kentucky)
Dr. Roger Fielding (Boston University)

18. International collaborations continue: Dr. Jean-Marc Renaud 2002-2005

19. International collaborations continue: Dr. Robin Michel 1999-2005
2 X Daily
Vehicle
CSA
FK506

20. Use of transgenic animals to test the role of Ca2+, CAM and CnA in muscle plasticity
NFAT
MEF2
Ca2+
Ca2+
CAM
Expression of slow
fibre program
CnA-active
NFAT P

21. Ca2+ - dependent transcriptional coupling in skeletal muscle
Gene Expression
Force production
DHPR
RYR
Plasma
membrane
 [Ca2+]i P
Ca2+ SR
SERCA
Ca2+ P
Ca-CAM
CamKII
Ca2+
NFAT2/4 ~ P
GSK3
JNK, ERK MEKK1
CamKII
CamKIV
Calcineurin
NFAT2/4 P
CREB ~ P
HDAC
CREB~P
MEF2
Nucleus
MEF2
NFAT4
 muscle gene expression

22. The journey is never over ….
Principal Scientist
La Jolla, CA

23. The science career journey
Eva R. Chin