I am currently in search of a post-doc position in academia or industry.
CONTACT ME
Email:
Phone:
(606)923-0160
TEACHING
TA Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky
I have been a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky since August 2013. I have taught the following courses:
BIO 155-INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY
BIO 315-PRINCIPLES IN GENETICS
BIO 350-ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY LAB
BIO 446/650- NEUROPHYSIOLOGY LAB
I have had the opportunity to lead primary, novel research in the Neurophysiology lab with University of Kentucky undergraduates. We used a host of invertebrate models, including crab, leech and crayfish, to teach basic neurophysiological principles. We use these principles and engage in addressing novel questions using these important model organisms. Specifically, we used the crab and crayfish models to profile the stretch-activated ion channels of proprioceptive chordotonal organs and their roles in transducing mechanical stimuli into electrical signals in hopes of better understanding proprioception. Additionally we have tested the impact of deep tissue injury on neural function using these model organisms. The students of the neurophysiolgy course were able to serve as co-authors on peer-reviewed publications. These manuscripts are currently in revision.
PHARMACOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF CHOLINERGIC RECEPTOR SUBTYPES ON THE DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER LARVAL HEART
2015
In this study, we investigated various pharmacological agents to characterize the Ach receptor subtypes. Our results show which Ach receptor mediates the positive chronotropic action of Ach by using pharmacological approaches. These findings provide a pharmacological overview of Ach action on the larval Drosophila heart which is a growing model being used today in many aspects. This work was accepted for publication in September, 2015 and is published in Journal of Comparative Physiology-B:J Comp Physiol B. 2016 Jan;186(1):45-57. doi: 10.1007/s00360-015-0934-4. Epub 2015 Oct 5. . Pubmed link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26438517
Malloy, C., Ritter, K., Robinson, J., and Cooper, R.L.
USING OPTOGENETICS TO ASSESS NEUROENDOCRINE MODULATION OF HEART RATE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER LARVAE
2017
In this study, have utilized an intact, optogenetic approach to assess the neural influence on heart rate (HR) in 3rd instar larvae. To simulate the release of modulators from the nervous system in response to environmental influences, we have directed expression of channel-rhodopsin (ChR2) variants to targeted neuronal populations in order to assess the role of these neural ensembles in directing release of modulators that may affect HR in vivo. These observations show that activation of targeted neurons, including cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic neurons, stimulate the release of cardio-active substances that increase HR after initial activation at both room temperature and in a cold environment. These findings add to our understanding of chemical modulation of the Drosophila heart, which is a growing model being used today in many aspects. This manuscript is currently in review.
​Malloy, C., Sifers, J., Mikos, A., Samadi, A., Omar, A., Hermanns, C. and Cooper, R.L.
CONSIDERATIONS IN REPETITIVE ACTIVATION OF LIGHT SENSITIVE ION CHANNELS FOR LONG TERM STUDIES: CHANNEL RHODOPSIN IN THE DROSOPHILA MODEL.
2017
The use of optogenetics has vaulted to the forefront of neuroscience research and we have investigated the consequences of long-term, repetitive stimulation of channel rhodospin in the fly model. We have used behavioral and electrophysiological techniques to address the mechanisms through which channel rhodopsin mediates neuronal activity through repetitive activation and have shed light on potential limitations that may arise when using this tool for long-term, developmental studies. This work is currently in review.
​Higgins, J., Hermanns, C., Malloy, C. and Cooper, R.L.
KEY PUBLICATIONS
References and Links to Papers
RESEARCH
Drosophila larval heart projects
January, 2017
The Drosophila melanogaster heart has rapidly become a principal model in which to study cardiac physiology and development. Many of the proteins that are crucial in regulating cardiac muscle contraction and ion transport are known to share similar functions in mammals. Due to the of the wealth of molecular tools available to alter expression of ion channels and membrane receptors, this model is particularly amenable for use in understanding the physiological mechanisms which may underlie dysfunctions that are manifested in cardiac disease states. I've used a variety of approaches to assess the chemical and mechanical modulation of cardiac function in fruit fly larvae. Links to full manuscripts are provided below.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00360-015-0934-4
Profiling the action of acetylcholine in the Drosophila CNS
January 2017
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an abundant neurotransmitter found in many species across various taxa. In mammals, it is known to be integral in modulating neural circuits underlying important processes such as learning, memory, and reward processing. In Drosophila melanogaster, ACh and the components mediating cholinergic signaling, exhibit comparable importance. It is the neurotransmitter used in peripheral sensory neurons and is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter within the CNS. The receptors that facilitate synaptic transmission at cholinergic synapses are divided into two broad subtypes: the ionotropic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and the metabotropic muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). This receptor classification is shared in both mammals and insects; however, both the pharmacological and functional characterization of these receptors within the Drosophila nervous system has lagged behind its mammalian model counterparts. I utilize pharmacological, elecrophysiological, optogenetic, and thermogenetic approaches to assess the physiological and behavioral consequences of disrupting cholinergic signaling to better understand acetylcholine modulation in the Drosophila CNS.
Activity-dependent structural plasticity in the Drosophila CNS
January 2017
Activity of developing neurons that make up neural networks impacts their formation and function. Structural plasticity arises as a result of activity-dependent competition between neurons in a developing neural circuit. The mechanisms that drive this plasticity are poorly understood and it is important to continue to address uncertainties that remain as inappropriate activity of a developing nervous system may lead to defects common in a variety of neurological disorders. While much work in mammalian systems and at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction has been done to assess activity-dependent neural competition, little work has been performed on CNS circuits in this highly amenable model. I have begun to address basic questions regarding the mechanisms underlying structural plasticity and the developmental impacts that arise due to inappropriate activity of sensory input on a distinct sensory-CNS-motor circuit.
COLE MALLOY
Research Overview
PhD student researcher and Teaching Assistant
August 2013 - August 2017
I am currently a 4th year PhD student working under the guidance of Dr. Robin Cooper in the Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky. My primary research focus is profiling the actions of acetylcholine in the Drosophila melanogaster CNS and investigating the cholinergic receptor subtypes that mediate cholinergic signaling in this model system. I am primarily focused on investigating the physiological and behavioral effects the result from altering cholinergic activity and utilize a combination of pharmacological, genetic, and electrophysiological tools to assess these effects. I am also using a number of genetic techniques to address basic questions regarding the mechanisms underlying structural and synaptic plasticity within the CNS of this model organism. In addition, I have used a multiple techniques to address mechanisms underlying chemical and mechanical modulation of Drosophila larval cardiac function.
PHARMACOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF CHOLINERGIC RECEPTOR SUBTYPES ON THE DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER LARVAL HEART
2015
In this study, we investigated various pharmacological agents to characterize the Ach receptor subtypes. Our results show which Ach receptor mediates the positive chronotropic action of Ach by using pharmacological approaches. These findings provide a pharmacological overview of Ach action on the larval Drosophila heart which is a growing model being used today in many aspects. This work was accepted for publication in September, 2015 and is published in Journal of Comparative Physiology-B:J Comp Physiol B. 2016 Jan;186(1):45-57. doi: 10.1007/s00360-015-0934-4. Epub 2015 Oct 5. . Pubmed link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26438517
Malloy, C., Ritter, K., Robinson, J., and Cooper, R.L.
USING OPTOGENETICS TO ASSESS NEUROENDOCRINE MODULATION OF HEART RATE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER LARVAE
2017
In this study, have utilized an intact, optogenetic approach to assess the neural influence on heart rate (HR) in 3rd instar larvae. To simulate the release of modulators from the nervous system in response to environmental influences, we have directed expression of channel-rhodopsin (ChR2) variants to targeted neuronal populations in order to assess the role of these neural ensembles in directing release of modulators that may affect HR in vivo. These observations show that activation of targeted neurons, including cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic neurons, stimulate the release of cardio-active substances that increase HR after initial activation at both room temperature and in a cold environment. These findings add to our understanding of chemical modulation of the Drosophila heart, which is a growing model being used today in many aspects. This manuscript is currently in review.
​Malloy, C., Sifers, J., Mikos, A., Samadi, A., Omar, A., Hermanns, C. and Cooper, R.L.
CONSIDERATIONS IN REPETITIVE ACTIVATION OF LIGHT SENSITIVE ION CHANNELS FOR LONG TERM STUDIES: CHANNEL RHODOPSIN IN THE DROSOPHILA MODEL.
2017
The use of optogenetics has vaulted to the forefront of neuroscience research and we have investigated the consequences of long-term, repetitive stimulation of channel rhodospin in the fly model. We have used behavioral and electrophysiological techniques to address the mechanisms through which channel rhodopsin mediates neuronal activity through repetitive activation and have shed light on potential limitations that may arise when using this tool for long-term, developmental studies. This work is currently in review.
​Higgins, J., Hermanns, C., Malloy, C. and Cooper, R.L.