Pamela J. Fraker
Professor

• Member, National Academy of Sciences
• B.A. 1966, Purdue University
• Ph.D. 1971, University of Illinois
• Postdoctoral Associate 1971-73, University of Illinois Medical Center
• Young Investigator Award, 1981, American Institute of Nutrition
• Goldsmith Research Award, 1993
• Distinguished Faculty Award, 1998, Michigan State University

fraker@msu.edu
419 Biochemistry Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1319
Office: 517-353-3513
Lab: 517-353-9585
FAX: 517-353-9334

Lab Home Page

FASEB 2007 Summer Conference
"Nutrition Immunology"

Publication search:

Pamela J. Fraker

Research Interests

Apoptosis
(Programmed Cell Death)

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays a pivotal role in development and regulation of the immune system. However, it has become evident that apoptosis also plays a major role in a host of diseases including malnutrition, wasting, cancer, AIDS, Alzheimers, heart disease, stroke, neuronal damage, etc. MORE

Nutritional - Immunology

Our lab has been a pioneer in the area of nutritional - immunology. We are interested in the fact that malnutrition and wasting have a rapid and adverse effect on the immune system. Thus, malnourished children as well as those suffering from cancer, AIDS, renal disease, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, etc., where malnutrition or wasting becomes a part of the disease have compromised immune systems. MORE

Stress - Survival Responses of Neutrophils

Our lab is also interested in determining the changes in gene expression made by myeloid cells that enable them to survive natural stresses such as exposure to glucocorticiods (Gc) and/or malnutrition. Normally neutrophils have a short half life of 18 hours and readily undergo spontaneous apoptosis. Yet exposure to Gc, LPS, or some cytokines prolongs their life span. MORE

Flow Cytometry

We have a state-of-the-art Becton Dickinson Vantage flow cytometer with two lasers making multiparameter analysis of fluorochromes from UV to red possible. MORE

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