Catherine (Grace) Burns

My research interests currently lie in creating novel advanced genetic tools to facilitate gene function analysis using fruit flies. As part of my work with the Gene Disruption Project, I generate diverse genetic tools through CRISPR mediated homologous recombination. These include GAL4 loss-of-function alleles that can be used to monitor the expression pattern and dynamics of the targeted gene. I also generate GFP protein fusion alleles which allow for sophisticated experiments that identify interaction partners and subcellular localization of the products of the targeted genes. I am also currently working on developing means to increase versatility of the UAS-human cDNA library that constitutes part of the Drosophila Humanization Project in collaboration with the Yamamoto lab. As a special interest, I am interested in the molecular mechanism of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. This is a later stage of Multiple Sclerosis where neurodegeneration occurs, independent of relapses of the immune system. This model of MS allows for teasing out the root causes of neurodegeneration in MS independent from auto-immune mechanisms.