864-388-1044 (voice)
864-388-1808
(fax)
kfranek@ggc.org |
Staff Scientist
- B.Sc. (Biology, Honors) University of Windsor,
Canada, 1984
- B.Ed (Biology, Chemistry) Queen’s University, Canada,
1990
- M.Sc. (Biology) University of Windsor, Windsor,
Ontario, Canada
- Ph.D. (Microbiology and Immunology), Louisiana State
University Health Sciences Center, 1998
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Microbiology and
Immunology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1998-1999
- Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Associate, Department of
Biological Sciences, Clemson University and the Oncology Research
Institute, Greenville Hospital System, 1999-2004
- Staff Scientist, Center for Molecular Studies, JC
Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center,
October 2004- present
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| Dr. Franek’s research focuses
on the functional aspects of the genes associated with X-linked Mental
Retardation (XLMR) and Split Hand/Foot Malformation (SHFM). His studies
apply molecular and cellular methods to elucidate the role of these genes
in cellular functions such as cell-to-cell adhesion, migration, cell
signaling and gene regulation.
These investigations of XLMR genes will shed light on
their role in the cause of various phenotypic characteristics in XLMR
patients. A better understanding of the function of these genes at the
cellular level may lead to potential therapeutic strategies directed to
the treatment of XLMR. Dr. Franek’s group carries out functional studies
of XLMR genes in primary and cultured neuronal cells, and examines the
effects of mutations in these genes on neural development during
differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells.
Dr. Franek is currently studying the function of several
genes with mutations in patients with various forms of XLMR including:
- XAP5
- Renin receptor (Atp6ap2) (X-linked MR with Epilepsy;
XLMRE)
- Fgd1, a Rho/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor
containing the zinc finger FYVE that is associated with faciogenital
dysplasia (Aarskog-Scott Syndrome)
- Dlg3 (Discs, large homolog 3)/SAP102
(synapse-associated protein 102) involved in XLMR.
- The monocarboxylate transporter MCT8 (SLC16A2), a
specific transporter of thyroid hormone that has been implicated in
Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome (AHDS).
Dr. Franek also works in association with other members
of the Research Institute, as well as members of the Diagnostic
Laboratories at GGC, in the design of molecular and cellular studies of
gene function.
In addition, in collaboration with Dr. Lesly A.
Temesvari of Clemson University, Dr. Franek employs the myxomycete
Dictyostelium discoideum (cellular slime mold) as a model system to
identify potential new roles for the function of XLMR genes and their
homologs during the developmental life cycle of Dictyostelium.
Selected Publications:
- North MJ, Cotter DA, Franek KJ. Dictyostelium
discoideum spore germination: Increases in proteinase activity are not
directly coupled to the emergence of myxamoebae. Journal of General
Microbiology 136:835-840, 1990.
- North MJ, Franek KJ, Cotter DA. Differential
secretion of Dictyostelium proteinases. Journal of General Microbiology
136:827-833, 1990.
- North MJ, Cotter DA, Franek KJ. Cysteine
proteinase changes during microcyst formation and germination in
Polysphondylium pallidum. Current Microbiology 22:59-63, 1991.
- North MJ, Cotter DA, Franek KJ. Cysteine
proteinase changes during macrocyst formation in Dictyostelium
mucoroides. FEMS Letters 72:153-158, 1991.
- Bush J, Franek K, Cardelli J. Cloning and
characterization of seven novel Dictyostelium discoideum rac-related
genes belonging to the rho family of GTPases. Gene 136:61-68, 1993.
- Bush J, Franek K, Daniels J, Spiegelman G,
Weeks G, Cardelli J. Cloning and characterization of five novel
Dictyostelium discoideum rab-related genes. Gene 136:55-60, 1993.
- Franek KJ, Wolcott RM, Chervenak R. Reliable
method for the simultaneous detection of cytoplasmic and surface CD3
expression by murine lymphoid cells. Cytometry 17:224-236, 1994.
- Lybarger L, Dempsey D, Franek KJ, Chervenak R.
Rapid generation and flow cytometric analysis of stable GFP-expressing
cells. Cytometry 25:211-220, 1996.
- Franek KJ, Chervenak R. Progenitor cell
seeding of the thymus: a wide window of opportunity. Current Trends in
Immunology 1:29-39, 1998.
- Franek KJ, Chervenak R. Simultaneous detection
of cytoplasmic and surface expression of CD3 proteins by flow cytometry.
In: Protocols in T cell Development and Activation, Methods in Molecular
Biology Series, Humana Press, K.P. Kearse, ed., vol. 134, pp. 103-116,
2000.
- Li J, Holmes LM, Franek KJ, Sticca RP, Wagner
TE, Wei Y. Murine tyrosinase expressed by a T7 vector in bone
marrow-derived dendritic progenitors effectively prevents and eradicates
melanoma tumors in mice. Cancer Gene Therapy 7(11):1448-55, 2000.
- Li J, Holmes LM, Franek KJ, Burgin KE, Wagner
TE, Wei Y. Purified hybrid cells from dendritic cell and tumor cell
fusions are superior activators of antitumor immunity. Cancer Immunol
Immunother 50:456-462, 2001.
- Beck MT, Chen NY, Franek KJ, Chen WY.
Prolactin Antagonist Endostatin Fusion Protein as Targeted Dual
Functional Therapeutic Agent for Breast Cancer. Cancer Research
63:3598-3604, 2003.
- Li J, Franek KJ, Patterson AL, Holmes LM,
Burgin KE, Ji J, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Targeting foreign major
histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to tumors by tumor
cell-specific single chain antibody (scFv). Int. J. Oncology
23:1329-1332, 2003.
- Franek KJ, Zhou Z, Zhang W-D, Chen WY. In
vitro studies of baicalin alone or in combination with Salvia
miltiorrhiza as a potential anti breast cancer agent. Int J Oncol
26(1):217-24, 2005.
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