Texas Medical Center
Address
One Baylor Plaza
S821
Houston, TX 77030
William J. Craigen, MD
Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
Baylor College of Medicine
Education
School | Education | Degree | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Baylor College of Medicine | Residency | Pediatrics | 1992 |
Baylor College of Medicine | Internship | Pediatrics | 1991 |
Baylor College of Medicine | Fellowship | Genetics | 1990 |
Baylor College of Medicine | Medical School | Doctor of Medicine | 1988 |
About
Clinical Interests - Genetic Disorders and Metabolic Disorders.
Research Interests - Mitochondrial function: Mitochondria are now recognized to play a variety of important physiologic roles in various processes beyond ATP synthesis, including programmed cell death (apoptosis), retrograde signaling, cellular proliferation, and the regulation of intermediary metabolism. One area of interest in the lab is in understanding the role of the mitochondrial outer membrane permeability in the regulation of cellular energy economy, apoptosis and mammalian organ function. Voltage-dependent Anion Channels (VDAC1-3: also known as mitochondrial porins) are a family of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins that conduct small molecules across the outer membrane. VDACs also bind cytosolic kinases such as hexokinase isoforms, and may act to tether other multi-protein complexes to mitochondria. One isoform (VDAC2) functions in suppressing apoptosis by binding the multi-domain pro-apoptotic protein BAK, while other isoforms play roles in glucose metabolism, learning and memory, and fertility. Using model organisms we are interested in determining the specific functions of each isoform in biology and relating VDAC function to disease states. These studies involve biochemical, physiologic, and genetic experimentation.
Human metabolic disorders: Despite advances in identifying human metabolic diseases, pathophysiologic mechanisms are poorly understood and specific treatment strategies lacking. Others projects in the laboratory involve studies of metabolic pathways leading to human inherited disorders. Using mutant mice, our current studies are designed to understand the metabolic disturbances that are associated defects in phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism, purine and creatine synthesis, and mitochondrial respiratory chain activities. We are interested in defining cell type-specific functions for the enzymes of intermediary metabolism using knockout mice in conjunction with tissue-specific transgene expression.
Organizations
Organization Name | Role |
---|---|
American Society for the Advancement of Science | Member |
American Society of Human Genetics | Member |
Society for Inherited Metabolic DIsorders | Member |
Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism | Member |
Selected Publications
Craigen WJ. Mitochondrial DNA mutations: an overview of clinical and molecular aspects. (2012) Methods inMolecular Biology 837:3-15. [Pub Med].
Language
* Texas Children's Hospital physicians' licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician's office and were not verified by Texas Children's Hospital.