Galya Orr, Ph.D
Expertise
Galya Orr
Dr. Galya Orr has initiated and is currently leading an effort that combines the development of imaging techniques with the investigation of the molecular processes of membrane receptors. Galya's effort has been focusing on time-lapse single-molecule fluorescence imaging and high sensitivity FRET analyses to study the molecular interaction dynamics of membrane receptors, and their intimate relationships with their membrane environment. Using the above techniques, nanoscale insights have been gained into the behavior and function of the ErbB receptors and associated proteins. Building on here experience in electrophysiology, Galya has been working toward simultaneous acquisition of single-molecule fluorescence and FRET imaging with single-channel current recording, for investigating structure-function relationships of ion channels. Galya has been also leading an effort that aims at high throughput identification of molecular interactions using imaging techniques. Using TIRF microscopy, Galya has also been leading an effort that aims at identifying the interactions, internalization pathways and cellular fate of specific nanomaterials.
Research Interest
- Investigate the cellular interactions and fate of nanoparticles to better understand mechanisms of particle toxicity and biocompatibility.
- Study the spatial and temporal patterns of the EGF receptor interactions with its ligands and dimerization partners to better understand their function in the transformation of information across the cell membrane. Identify the role of membrane microdomains in receptor function.
- Investigate the molecular interactions of the ErbB receptors, and the NMDA receptor that govern the formation and specificity of the glutamatergic synapse.
- Previous work focused on the electrophysiology of learning and memory in the hippocampus of living animals. Identified electrophysiological correlates of the decline in cognitive functions during aging, and the involvement of the theta rhythm in synaptic plasticity.
Education
- Ph.D., Neuroscience, Division of Neural Systems Memory and Aging, University of Arizona, 2002
- Ph.D. studies, Cell, Molecular and Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hawaii, 1993 - 1995 (transferred to University of Arizona)
- B.S., Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, 1984
Professional Societies
- Society of Toxicology since 2005
- American Society for Cell Biology since 2004
- Biophysical Society since 2000
- Society for Neuroscience since 1996
Honors and Awards
- Merit fellowship, graduate college, University of Arizona
- Merit scholarship, graduate college, University of Hawaii
- Dean's list of honors for scholastic achievements, Israel Institute of Technology
Selected Publications
Orr G, Panther DJ, Cassens KJ, Phillips JL, Tarasevich BJ, Pounds JG. "Syndecan-1 mediates the coupling of positively charged submicrometer amorphous silica particles with actin filaments across the alveolar epithelial cell membrane." Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 2009, 236, 210–220.
Orr G., Panther D. J., Phillips J. L., Tarasevich B. J., Hu D., Teeguarden J. G., Pounds J. G. "Submicron and nanoscale inorganic particles exploit the actin machinery to be propelled along microvilli-like structures into alveolar cells." ACS Nano. 2007, 1, 463-475.
Teeguarden JG, PM Hinderliter, G Orr, BD Thrall, and JG Pounds. (2007) "Particokinetics In Vitro: Dosimetry Considerations for In Vitro Nanoparticle Toxicity Assessments." Toxicological Science. Feb;95(2):300-12. Epub 2006 Nov 10.
Orr G, Hu D, Özçelik S, Opresko LK, Wiley HS, Colson SD. 2005. "Cholesterol Dictates the Freedom of EGF Receptors and HER2 in the plane of the membrane." Biophysical Journal. May 20; [Epub ahead of print].
Dong J, Opresko LK, Chrisler W, Orr G, Quesenberry RD, Lauffenburger DA, Wiley HS. 2005. "The Membrane-anchoring Domain of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Receptor Ligands Dictates Their Ability to Operate in Juxtacrine Mode." Molecular Biology of the Cell. 16(6):2984-98. Epub 2005 Apr 13.
Hendriks BS, Orr G, Wells A, Wiley HS, Lauffenburger DA. 2005. "Parsing ERK activation reveals quantitatively equivalent contributions from EGFR and HER2 in human mammary epithelial cells." Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280(7):6157-69.
Özçelik S*, G Orr*, D Hu, CS Chen, H Resat, G Harms, L Opresko, S Wiley, and S Colson. 2004. "FRET measurements between small numbers of molecules identify subtle changes in receptor interactions." Photonics West Proceedings, International Society for Optical Engineering 5323:119-127.
Harms G, G Orr, and HP Lu. 2004. "Probing Single-Molecule Ion Channel Conformational Dynamics Using Combined Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Patch-Clamp Recording." Applied Physics Letters 84(10):1792-1794.