ALENCIA  WOODARD-GRICE

Mentor:  Susan Bellis, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Institution:  Vanderbilt University
Entered CMPh Program:  Fall 2002
Phone:  205.934.3442
Email:  woodard@uab.edu
CV:     Alencia V. Woodard-Grice

RESEARCH INTEREST

Differentiation along the monocytic/macrophage lineage by promonocytic cells upon presentation of an inflammatory stimulus is accompanied by a dramatic increase in cell adhesiveness to facilitate transmigration through the endothelium and tethering at sites of inflammation.  This increased adhesiveness is due, in part, to the activation of the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors.  During inflammation, the α4β1 integrins expressed by monocytes associate with vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) on the surface of endothelial cells.  This event is known to be crucial for monocyte transmigration through the vascular wall.  α4β1/VCAM-1 interactions have been cited as key mediators of inflammatory processes underlying the development of atherosclerosis.  The U937 cell line has been widely used as a model system for studying monocytic differentiation of myeloid cells.  Treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) causes these cells to acquire functions characteristic of mature phagocytes, including increased respiratory burst activity, phagocytosis and adhesiveness to several integrin ligands.  Our laboratory has found that PMA-treatment of U937 cells induces downregulation of the ST6Gal 1 sialyltransferase, a trans-golgi enzyme that adds α2-6 linked sialic acids to N-linked glycans.  This downregulation leads to hyposialylation of β1 integrins. 

About Alencia:

I also enjoy teaching, and have strong sense of commitment to the community.  At my church, I am the director of the youth mission and bible study ministry, a youth choir supervisor and the supervisor for the girls step team ministry.  During the school year, I volunteer as a math and science tutor at a local after school program funded by the “No Child Left Behind” Act.  I assist 4^th through 7^th graders with homework assignments, science projects and basic enrichment of fundamental skills.  I also serve as the study skills instructor for the program.  Once a month, I present the children with techniques to improve study habits, classroom performance and learning and memory skills.  Twice a year, I also present parents with simple plans to make homework and studying enjoyable and productive tasks for the children, as well as themselves.  I plan on continuing my goal to make learning easier and interesting to urban youth possibly through outreach programs in my future field of industry.

MCLM 982A
1918 University Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35233