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Multiple Sclerosis Research Group

Britt Johnson, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Britt Johnson, Ph.D.

Department of Neurology
University of California San Francisco
(415) 476-3136

Education and Training

  • 1999-2003 B.S., Genetics. University of Georgia, Athens, GA
  • 2003-2008 Ph.D. Candidate, Genetics. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Awards and Honors

  • 2006 ARVO Foundation/Retina Research Foundation/Joseph M. and Eula C. Lawrence Travel Scholarship
  • 2003-2005 NIH Predoctoral Training Program in Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 2002 Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Summer Fellowship, University of Georgia

Research experience

  • 2001-2003 University of Georgia, Genetics – Dr. Janet Westpheling, Ph.D.
  • 2003-2008 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Genetics – Dr. Akihiro Ikeda, DVM, Ph.D.

Research interest

Key words: Multiple Sclerosis, microRNAs, Genetic Susceptibility

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNAs, which modify the expression of genes in a sequence specific manner. Abnormal expression of miRNA has been associated with mental retardation, the degeneration of neurons, and even autoimmune disease. However, the relationship between miRNA expression and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has not been studied. My current research involves studying patterns of miRNA expression in immune cells from early MS patients to search for anomalies that can be associated with a patient’s rate of progression. I also plan to study the pattern of miRNA expression in the brains of MS patients to determine miRNA involvement in disease severity.

I am also interested in the genetic susceptibility to MS. Multiple genes have been identified which contribute to the susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis in whites. Currently, I am analyzing these genes to determine if they are also associated with susceptibility to MS in African Americans.  

Other

Recent Publications
Johnson BA, Aoyama N, Friedell NH, Ikeda S, Ikeda A. Genetic Modification of the Schisis Phenotype in a Mouse Model of X-Linked Retinoschisis. Genetics. 178:1785-1794, 2008.

Hirasawa M, Xu X, Trask R, Maddatu TP, Johnson BA, Naggert JK, Nishina PM, Ikeda A. Carbonic Anhydrase Related Protein 8 Mutation Results in Aberrant Synaptic Morphology and Excitatory Synaptic Function in the Cerebellum. Mol Cell Neurosci. 35:161-170, 2007.

Johnson BA, Ikeda S, Pinto LH, Ikeda A. Reduced synaptic vesicle density and aberrant synaptic localization caused by a splice site mutation in the Rs1h gene. Vis Neurosci. 23:887-898, 2006.

Chang B, Heckenlively JR, Bayley PR, Brecha NC, Davisson MT, Hawes NL, Hirano AA, Hurd RE, Ikeda A, Johnson BA, Mccall MA, Morgans CW, Nusinowitz S, Peachey NS, Rice DS, Vessey KA, Gregg RG. The nob2 mouse, a null mutation in Cacna1f: Anatomical and functional abnormalities in the outer retina and their consequences on ganglion cell visual responses. Vis Neurosci. 23:1-14, 2006.