Erin Dayle Sheets

Dr. SheetsDepartment of Chemistry
104 Chemistry Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
work: 814 863-0044
fax: 814 865-5235
e-mail: eds11@psu.edu

Education

1997 PhD, Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Title: Detecting transient confinement in the plasma membrane with single particle tracking
Advisor: Ken Jacobson, Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy

1994 MS, Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Title: Characterization of receptor-mediated phagocytosis using fluorescence microscopy and supported planar membranes
Advisor: Nancy L. Thompson, Department of Chemistry

1991 BA, Chemistry, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA

Additional study :

8/1989-7/1990 Philipps-Universität, Marburg Germany

Professional Experience

7/2002- present Assistant Professor of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  • Integrative Biosciences Faculty, The Huck Institute for Life Sciences
  • Biomolecular Transport Dynamics, Chemical Biology, and Cell & Developmental Biology Options
  • Member, Materials Research Institute
  • Member, Center for Biomolecular Structure and Function
  • Research in structure-function relationships in biomembranes and signaling dynamics using quantitative optical microscopy

10/2000-6/2002 Research Associate, Nanobiotechnology Center, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Cornell University; Advisors: Barbara Baird and David Holowka

  • Research in fabricating a device to control spatial and temporal initiation of ligand-mediated signaling; investigated spatio-temporal dynamics of critical molecules in mast cell signaling

5/1997-9/2000 NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Cornell University; Advisors: Barbara Baird and David Holowka

  • Research in lipid-mediated IgE receptor signal transduction and its cytoskeletal regulation in mast cells

2/1994-5/1997 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Advisor: Ken Jacobson

  • Research in membrane structure and protein mobility using single particle tracking and biological mechanisms inducing transient confinement of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins

8/1991-2/1994 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Advisor: Nancy L. Thompson

  • Research on the effect of a protein antigen on IgG-mouse FcgRII interactions measured using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy

Research Interests

My long-term goal is to understand how the biophysical structure of lipid membranes controls fundamental processes occurring on the cell surface that are critical for signal transduction and cellular function. We are developing new tools to probe spatial and temporal dynamics of the molecular interactions that are involved in cell surface signaling. Our multidisciplinary laboratory takes advantage of optical and engineering approaches, such as state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy and optical trapping and nanotechnology, to address questions ranging from the physical chemistry of lipids to the initiation of signal transduction to cell motility.

Honors & Awards

  • 2006 Young Alumni Achievement Award, Juniata College
  • 10/1997-9/2000 NIH National Research Service Award
  • 8/1991-5/1992 Charles N. Reilley Graduate Fellow, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina
  • 1991 Merck Index Chemistry Achievement Award, Department of Chemistry, Juniata College
  • 1990 DuPont Chemistry Achievement Award, Department of Chemistry, Juniata College

Professional Memberships

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • American Chemical Society
  • American Society for Cell Biology
  • American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
  • Biophysical Society
  • Member, Committee on Professional Opportunities for Women, 2001-2006
  • Center for Biomolecular Structure and Function (PSU)
  • Center for Nanoscale Science (PSU)
  • Huck Institute for Life Sciences (PSU)
  • Materials Research Institute (PSU)
  • Materials Research Society
  • Microscopy Society of America
  • Lehigh-Penn State Center for Optical Technologies
  • SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering

Graduate Students

Minjoung Kyoung
Ph.D. in Chemistry, expected ca. 2007
Kanika Vats
Ph.D. in Chemistry, expected ca. 2007
Angel Davey
Ph.D. in Chemistry, expected ca. 2008
Nhan Pham
Ph.D. in Chemistry, expected ca. 2009

Undergraduate Honors Students

Kelly Stewart
B.S. in Chemistry, August 2004

Publications That Have Appeared

Articles published in refereed journals

  1. M Kyoung, K Karunwi, and ED Sheets, “A versatile multi-mode microscope to probe and manipulate nanoparticles and biomolecules”, Journal of Microscopy, in press.
  2. AM Davey, Y Liu, R Walvick, AA Heikal, and ED Sheets, “Probing plasma membrane membrane order and molecular dynamics upon large-scale crosslinking of IgE receptor in mast cells”, Biophysical Journal, in press.
  3. M Kyoung and ED Sheets, “Manipulating and probing the spatio-temporal dynamics of nanoparticles near surfaces”, Proceedings of SPIE 6326:63262L (2006).
  4. L Andruzzi, W Senaratne, A Hexemer, ED Sheets, B Ilic, EJ Kramer, B Baird, and CK Ober, “Oligo(ethylene glycol) containing polymer brushes as bioselective surfaces”, Langmuir 21:2495-2504 (2005)
  5. ST Hess*, ED Sheets*, A Wagenknecht-Wiesner, and AA Heikal, "Quantitative analysis of the fluorescence properties of intrinsically fluorescent proteins in living cells." Biophysical Journal 85: 2566-2580 (2003) . * STH and EDS contributed equally to this work.
  6. D Holowka, ED Sheets, and B Baird, "Interactions between FceRI and lipid raft components are regulated by the actin cytoskeleton." Journal of Cell Science 113:1009-1019 (2000).
  7. B Baird, ED Sheets, and D Holowka, "How does the plasma membrane participate in cellular signaling by receptors for immunoglobulin E?" Biophysical Chemistry 82:109-119 (1999).
  8. EK Fridriksson, PA Shipkova, ED Sheets, D Holowka, B Baird, and FW McLafferty, "Quantitative analysis of phospholipids in functionally important membrane domains from RBL-2H3 mast cells using tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry." Biochemistry 38:8056-8063 (1999).
  9. ED Sheets, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Critical role for cholesterol in Lyn-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of FceRI and their association with detergent-resistant membranes." Journal of Cell Biology 145:877-887 (1999).
  10. ED Sheets, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Membrane organization in IgE receptor signaling." Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 3:95-99 (1999).
  11. ED Sheets, GM Lee, R Simson, and K Jacobson, "Transient confinement of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein in the plasma membrane." Biochemistry 36:12449-12458 (1997).
  12. ED Sheets, L Chen, and NL Thompson, "Decreased IgG-FcgRII dissociation kinetics in the presence of a protein antigen." Molecular Immunology 34:519-526 (1997).
  13. ED Sheets, R Simson, and K Jacobson, "New insights into membrane dynamics from the analysis of cell surface interactions by physical methods." Current Opinion in Cell Biology 7:707-714 (1995).
  14. R Simson, ED Sheets, and K Jacobson, "Detection of temporary lateral confinement of membrane proteins using single-particle tracking analysis." Biophysical Journal 69:989-993 (1995).
  15. K Jacobson, ED Sheets, and R Simson, "Revisiting the fluid mosaic model of membranes." Science 268:1441-1442 (1995).

Parts of books

  1. AA Heikal, ST Hess, ED Sheets , and WW Webb, "Mutation-photophysics relationships in intrinsically fluorescent proteins", Femtochemistry and Femtobiology: Ultrafast dynamics in Molecular Science. A Douhal and J Santamaria (Editors), (World Scientific, Singapore, 2002), pp 777-781.

Articles published in nonrefereed journals

  1. W Senaratne, L Andruzzi, ED Sheets , D Holowka, B Ilic, A Hexemer, EJ Kramer, B Baird, CK Ober, "Exploring the potential of surface grown PEG-polymer brushes for biotechnology applications." Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering , 88:337-338 (2003).

Manuscripts in progress

  1. K Vats, M Kyoung, and ED Sheets, "Patterning complexity in supported model membranes", in preparation.
  2. ED Sheets, JA Gosse, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Real time dynamics of antigen stimulation show spatially and temporally segregated signal propagation", in preparation.

Invited Talks

  1. "Detecting transient confinement in the plasma membrane with single particle tracking." Department of Chemistry, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA, April 1997.
  2. "Immunoreceptor signaling: Cell-membrane interactions with functional consequences." Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta GA, December 2001.
  3. "Immunoreceptor signaling: Cell-membrane interactions with functional consequences." Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, January 2002.
  4. "IgE receptors and rafts: a model for lipid and protein cooperation in signaling." Department of Bioengineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, September 27, 2002.
  5. "IgE receptors and lipid rafts: a case study in cooperation." Department of Chemistry, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA, October 25, 2002.
  6. "Patterning cell signaling." Center for Nanoscale Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, May 5, 2003.
  7. "Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions." Department of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, London ON, September 9, 2004.
  8. "Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions." Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, October 5, 2004.
  9. "Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions." Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, New York NY, March 9, 2005.

Papers Presented at Technical and Professional Meetings

  1. HV Hsieh, ED Sheets, and NL Thompson, "Direct measurement of IgG-Fc receptor kinetics: A study using total internal reflection-fluorescence photobleaching recovery." Biophysical Journal 66:A258 (1994).
  2. ED Sheets, GM Lee, and K Jacobson, "Mechanisms for immobilization of a GPI-linked protein using single particle tracking analysis." Biophysical Journal 68:A306 (1995).
  3. ED Sheets, GM Lee, and K Jacobson, "Transient lateral confinement of a GPI-anchored protein to small domains: A single particle tracking study." Molecular Biology of the Cell 6:287a (1995).
  4. L Chen, ED Sheets, and NL Thompson, "Physical parameters of FcgRII-IgG interactions in the absence and presence of protein antigen." Biophysical Journal 70:A221 (1996).
  5. ED Sheets and K Jacobson, "GPI-anchored proteins and glycosphingolipids exhibit transient lateral confinement to small domains: A single particle tracking study." Biophysical Journal 70:A335 (1996). Honorable Mention, Sudent Research Achievement Award.
  6. L Chen, ED Sheets, and NL Thompson, "Physical parameters of FcgRII-IgG interactions in the absence and presence of protein antigen." Triangle Biophysics Symposium on the Dynamics of Biomembranes, October 24-26, 1996, Chapel Hill NC.
  7. ED Sheets and K Jacobson, "Transient confinement of GPI-anchored proteins by glycolipid membrane domains." Triangle Biophysics Symposium on the Dynamics of Biomembranes, October 24-26, 1996, Chapel Hill NC.
  8. ED Sheets and K Jacobson, "Transient confinement of GPI-anchored proteins by glycolipid membrane domains." Biophysical Journal 72:A67 (1997).
  9. K Jacobson, B Yang, E Sheets, and C Dietrich, "Transient confinement of GPI-anchored proteins and glyco-sphingolipids in the plasma membrane." Biophysical Journal 74:A222 (1998).
  10. ED Sheets, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Cholesterol depletion disrupts antigen-stimulated FceRI tyrosine phosphorylation, interaction with detergent-resistant membrane domains, and Lyn co-redistribution at the cell surface." Third International Workshop on Signal Transduction in the Activation and Development of Mast Cells and Basophils, March 7-11, 1998, Bethesda MD.
  11. D Holowka, ED Sheets, and B Baird, "F-actin regulation of aggregated IgE receptor association with detergent-resistant membrane domains." Third International Workshop on Signal Transduction in the Activation and Development of Mast Cells and Basophils, March 7-11, 1998, Bethesda MD.
  12. P Shipkova, EK Fridriksson, ED Sheets, D Holowka, B Baird, and FW McLafferty, "Detailed lipid analysis of RBL cells and their specialized membrane domains." Proceedings of the 46 th Conference on Mass Spectrometry Allied Topics, June 1-4, 1998, Orlando, FL.
  13. B Baird, K Field, E Sheets, P Pyenta, P Shipkova, E Fridriksson, F McLafferty, M Ge, J Freed, and D Holowka, "Biophysical characterization of plasma membrane domains that participate in IgE receptor-mediated signaling." FASEB Conference on Molecular Biophysics of Cellular Membranes, August 1-6, 1998, Saxtons River VT.
  14. ED Sheets, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Cholesterol is important for the interaction of aggregated IgE receptor complexes and Lyn tyrosine kinase with specialized membrane domains." FASEB Conference on Molecular Biophysics of Cellular Membranes, August 1-6, 1998, Saxtons River VT.
  15. ED Sheets, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Critical role for cholesterol in Lyn-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of FceRI and their association with detergent-resistant membranes." Molecular Biology of the Cell 9:79a (1998).
  16. D Holowka, ED Sheets, and B Baird, "Interactions between FceRI and detergent-resistant membrane components are regulated by the actin cytoskeleton." Molecular Biology of the Cell 9:91a (1998).
  17. C Dietrich, B Yang, E Sheets, T Horner, Z Volovyk, N Thompson, and K Jacobson, "Transient confinement of GPI-anchored proteins and glycosphingolipids in the plasma membrane." Molecular Biology of the Cell 9:209a (1998).
  18. B Baird, E Sheets, and D Holowka, "Membrane structure and dynamics in IgE receptor signaling." Biophysical Journal 76:A31 (1999).
  19. C Dietrich, B Yang, E Sheets, Z Volovyk, N Thompson, and K Jacobson, "Transient confinement of GPI-anchored proteins and glycosphingolipids in natural and model membranes." Biophysical Journal 76:A61 (1999).
  20. ED Sheets, NO Petersen, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Interactions between the high affinity IgE receptor and detergent-resistant membranes measured by image correlation spectroscopy." Biophysical Journal 76:A391 (1999).
  21. ED Sheets, "Critical role of cholesterol for plasma membrane interactions in IgE receptor signaling." 3rd Membrane Forum, March 28-30, 1999, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
  22. ED Sheets , NO Petersen, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Does IgE receptor activation transiently modulate plasma membrane structure?" Molecular Biology of the Cell 10:85a (1999).
  23. ED Sheets , "Immunoreceptor signaling: Cell membrane interactions with functional consequences." 2000 Ski-Hut Seminar, January 15-16, 2000, Cornell University, Ithaca NY.
  24. ED Sheets, S Bunnell, L Samelson, A Jeromin, A Wiesner, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Real time spatial dynamics of IgE receptor-mediated signaling in mast cells." Molecular Biology of the Cell 11:315a (2000).
  25. ED Sheets, "Localized activation of IgE receptors on mast cells." 2001 Ski-Hut Seminar, January 6-7, 2001, Cornell University, Ithaca NY.
  26. ED Sheets, S Bunnell, L Samelson, A Jeromin, A Wiesner, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Real time spatial dynamics of IgE receptor-mediated signaling in mast cells." WM Keck Foundation Program in Cellular and Molecular Biophysics of Signal Transduction Retreat, June 16-17, 2001, South Fallsburg NY.
  27. W Senaratne, Q Wang, E Sheets, B Baird, and C Ober, "Spatially selective patterning of antibodies on silicon." Nanobiotechnology: Interfacing Nanoscale Technology with Biological Systems, June 22, 2001, Weill Medical College, New York NY.
  28. ED Sheets, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Biophysical studies use tools of nanobiotechnology to examine cell surface immunoreceptors." Nanobiotechnology: Interfacing Nanoscale Technology with Biological Systems, June 22, 2001, Weill Medical College, New York NY.
  29. W Senaratne, Q Wang, E Sheets, B Baird, and C Ober, "Spatially selective patterning of antibodies on silicon." Gordon Conference on Organic Thin Films, June 2001, Rhode Island.
  30. ED Sheets , JA Gosse, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Real-time dynamics of antigen stimulation show spatially and temporally segregated signal propagation." Molecular Biology of the Cell 12:453a (2001).
  31. JA Gosse, ED Sheets , D Holowka, and B Baird, "Real-time spatio-temporal dynamics of antigen stimulated IgE receptor signaling in mast cells." Biophysical Journal 82:222a (2002).
  32. AA Heikal, H Vishwasrao, ST Hess, ED Sheets, K Kasischke, and WW Webb, "In-vivo photophysical characterization of intrinsically fluorescence markers for functional imaging in biology." Biophysical Journal 82:433a (2002).
  33. W Senaratne, L Andruzzi, ED Sheets, D Holowka, B Ilic, A Hexemer, EJ Kramer,  B Baird, CK Ober, "Exploring the potential of surface grown PEG-polymer brushes for biotechnology applications", ACS, Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, March 2003, New Orleans LA.
  34. W Senaratne, L Andruzzi, ED Sheets, D Holowka, B Ilic, A Hexemer, EJ Kramer,  B Baird, CK Ober, "Exploring the potential of surface grown PEG-polymer brushes for biotechnology applications", Nanobiotechnology Center Annual Symposium, June 2003, Cornell University, Ithaca NY.
  35. ED Sheets, "Probing the dynamics of biological membrane with high spatial and temporal resolution." Sixth Annual Japanese-American Beckman Frontiers in Science Symposium, December 8-10, 2003, Kanagawa, Japan. Invited participant.
  36. ED Sheets, ST Hess, A Wagenknecht-Wiesner, AA Heikal, "Quantitative analysis of the rotational flexibility of LynB protein in living RBL mast cells." Molecular Biology of the Cell 14:350a (2003).
  37. ED Sheets, M Kyoung, K Vats, AM Davey, KM Stewart, H Lazarus, “Probing biomembrane heterogeneity using patterning with high spatio-temporal resolution.” Biophysical Society Discussions, October 28-31, 2004, Asilomar, CA.  Invited participant.
  38. ED Sheets, M Kyoung, K Vats, AM Davey, KM Stewart, H Lazarus, “Probing biomembrane heterogeneity using patterning with high spatio-temporal resolution.” 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, December 4-8, 2004, Washington, DC.
  39. K Vats, M Kyoung, ED Sheets, “Patterning complexity into supported planar bilayers.” 49th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, February 12-16, 2005, Long Beach, CA. 

Teaching Experience

  • Courses Taught at Penn State University: Chemistry 597B/C, Biomembranes (Spring 2003, Spring 2005, Spring 2007); Chemistry 597B, Biophysical Chemistry: Membranes & Proteins (Spring 2004); Chemistry 12, Chemical Principles (Fall 2003, Fall 2004, Fall 2005, Fall 2006)
  • Visiting Lecturer, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology III, Dept. of Chemistry, Juniata College (Fall 1997, Fall 1998 & Fall 2002)
  • Course Assistant , Advanced In Situ Hybridization and Immunocytochemistry Course, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY (October 1994 & October 1995)
  • Course Assistant, Nikon Analytical and Quantitative Light Microscopy Course, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole MA (May 1995)
  • Teaching Assistant, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Laboratory, UNC Dept. of Chemistry (Fall 1994)
  • Teaching Assistant, General Chemistry Laboratory, UNC Dept. of Chemistry Fall 1991 - Spring 1992)

Referee Work

Reviewed manuscripts for the following journals:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysical Journal
  • Chemistry & Biology
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society
  • Physical Review E

Reviewed grant applications for the following institutions:

  • National Science Foundation
  • American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
  • Juniata College
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Association for Women in Science

Service

College

  • University NSF Nanoscale Selection Panel (2004)

College

  • Climate and Diversity Committee (2003-2006)
  • Junior Faculty Task Force (2003-2004)

Department

  • Graduate Admissions Committee (2002-2003; 2004-2005)
  • Library Committee (2002-2004)
  • Colloquium/Priestley and Marker Lectures Committee (2003-2004)
  • Safety Committee (2003-2004)
  • Nanobiotechnology Faculty Search Committee (2003-2005)
  • Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Recruiting (2004)
  • Graduate Affairs Faculty Think Tank (2004-present)
  • Chair, Biological Chemistry Seminar Series (2004-present)

National

  • Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW), Biophysical Society, (2001-2006)
  • 50th Anniversary Committee, Biophysical Society, (2005-2006)

 
 

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