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
  • Cell & Developmental Biology Graduate Program
  • Member, Materials Research Institute
  • Member, Center for Cellular Dynamics
  • Co-director, Penn State Bionanotechnology & Biomaterials Summer Institute
  • 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 quantitatively how critical molecular events in a variety of essential membrane-involved processes control biological function.  Specifically, I study immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor signaling, which initiates the allergic response in mast cells.  We are developing new quantitative tools, particularly those exploiting fluorescence, to probe spatial and temporal dynamics of the molecular interactions involved in immunoreceptor signaling.  Our multidisciplinary laboratory uses state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy, optical trapping and nanotechnology to manipulate and interrogate single molecules in living cells and biomimetic systems.  Questions we are investigating range from the physical chemistry of functional interfacial lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions to the initiation of signal transduction and exocytosis.

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 Cellular Dynamics (PSU)
  • Center for Nanoscale Science (PSU)
  • Huck Institute for Life Sciences (PSU)
  • Materials Research Institute (PSU)
  • Lehigh-Penn State Center for Optical Technologies
  • SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering

Graduate Students

Minjoung Kyoung
Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2007
Angel Davey
Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2008
Kanika Vats
Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2009
Keith Krise
Ph.D. in Chemistry, expected ca. 2010

Undergraduate Honors Students

Kelly Stewart
B.S. in Chemistry, August 2004

Publications That Have Appeared

Articles published in refereed journals

  1. M Kyoung and ED Sheets, “Vesicle diffusion close to a membrane: intermembrane interactions measured with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.” Biophysical Journal, 95:5789-5797 (2008).

  2. K Vats, M Kyoung, and ED Sheets, “Characterizing the chemical complexity of patterned biomimetic membranes.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1778:2461-2468 (2008).

  3. S An, R Kumar, ED Sheets, and SJ Benkovic, “Reversible compartmentalization of de novo purine biosynthetic complexes in living cells.” Science, 320:103-106 (2008).

  4. AM Davey, KM Krise, ED Sheets and AA Heikal, “Molecular perspective of antigen-mediated mast cell signaling.” Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283:7117-7127 (2008).

  5. PJ Butler, C Dong, AJ Snyder, AD Jones, ED Sheets, “Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer Institutes: meeting modern challenges in undergraduate summer research.” CBE—Life Sciences Education, 7:45-53 (2008). 

  6. M Kyoung, K Karunwi, and ED Sheets, “A versatile multi-mode microscope to probe and manipulate nanoparticles and biomolecules.” Journal of Microscopy, 225:137-146, (2007).

  7. AM Davey, Y Liu, R Walvick, AA Heikal, and ED Sheets, “Membrane order and molecular dynamics associated with IgE receptor cross-linking in mast cells.” Biophysical Journal 92:343-355 (2007).

  8. M Kyoung, and ED Sheets, “Manipulating and probing the spatio-temporal dynamics of nanoparticles near surfaces.” Proceedings of SPIE, 6326:63262L (2006).

  9. 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)
  10. 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.
  11. 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).
  12. 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).
  13. 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).
  14. 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).
  15. ED Sheets, D Holowka, and B Baird, "Membrane organization in IgE receptor signaling." Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 3:95-99 (1999).
  16. 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).
  17. 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).
  18. 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).
  19. 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).
  20. 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).

Invited Talks

  1. “Imaging immunoreceptor signaling.” FASEB Summer Research Conference “Protein Lipidation, Signaling and Membrane Domains”, Vermont Academy, Saxtons River VT, to be given July 26-31, 2009. Invited speaker.

  2. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Physics, University of Maine, Orono ME, to be given Spring 2009.

  3. “Imaging membrane dynamics participating in immunoreceptor signaling.” Delaware Membrane Protein Symposium, Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Membrane Protein Production and Characterization, University of Delaware, Wilmington DE, October 6, 2008. Invited speaker.

  4. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Pharmacy Practice & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Duluth MN, July 9, 2008.

  5. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Biochemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA, April 10, 2008.

  6. “Dynamics of molecular interactions in cells & biomimetic systems.” Joint Colloquium of the Cell & Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunobiology and Molecular Medicine Programs, Pennsylvania State University, March 7, 2008.

  7. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, February 20, 2008.
  8. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, January 24, 2008.
  9. “Imaging membrane dynamics in immunoreceptor signaling.” 47th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, December 1-5, 2007, Washington DC. Invited Minisymposium Speaker.

  10. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, November 29, 2007.

  11. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN, October 18, 2007.

  12. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Chemistry, St. Francis University, Loretto PA, October 16, 2007.

  13. “Molecular dynamics imaging of mast cell membrane nanostructure in IgE receptor signaling.” Angel M. Davey, presenting.  Center for Optical Technologies Open House, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA, October 9, 2007.

  14. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, October 9, 2007.

  15. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Biophysics Colloquium, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, May 2, 2007.

  16. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA, April 10, 2007.  Invited and hosted by the graduate students.

  17. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” The Center for Nanotechnology, University of Washington, Seattle WA, April 3, 2007.

  18. “Do proteins induce lipid domain formation?” 233rd ACS National Meeting, March 25-29, 2007, Chicago IL.

  19. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Midwest Microscopy and Microanalysis Society/Northwestern Bioimaging Facility Annual Meeting, Northwestern University, Evanston IL, March 23, 2007. Keynote Speaker.

  20. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Departments of Physics and Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton NY, February 20, 2007.

  21. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Joint Colloquium of the Cell & Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunobiology and Molecular Medicine Programs, Pennsylvania State University, February 16, 2007.

  22. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey PA, January 15, 2007.

  23. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC, October 4, 2006.

  24. “Membrane order and molecular dynamics associated with IgE receptor crosslinking in mast cells.” Center for Optical Technologies Open House & Biophotonics Workshop, May 18-19, 2006, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA.

  25. “Patterning chemical complexity into biomimetic membranes.” Biologically Inspired Nanomaterials Workshop, Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter, November 12-15, 2005, University Park PA.

  26. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Signaling Defects in Aging Workshop, National Institute on Aging, October 24-25, 2005, Potomic MD.

  27. “Biomimetic membranes-a platform for sensing and cell signaling.” CrossOver 2005: Exploring the interface of the life sciences and materials at Penn State, October 13-14, 2005, University Park PA.
  28. “Nanobiotechnology: new tools for studying biomembranes.” Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA, June 22, 2005.

  29. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Bioengineering, City College of New York, New York NY, March 9, 2005.

  30. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, October 5, 2004.

  31. “Life as a lipid: rafts, dynamics and interactions.” Department of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, London ON, September 9, 2004.

  32. “Patterning cell signaling.” Center for Nanoscale Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, May 5, 2003.

  33. “IgE receptors and lipid rafts: a case study in cooperation.” Department of Chemistry, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA, October 25, 2002.

  34. “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.

  35. “Immunoreceptor signaling: cell-membrane interactions with functional consequences.” Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA, January 2002.

  36. “Immunoreceptor signaling: cell-membrane interactions with functional consequences.” Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta GA, December 2001.

  37. “Detecting transient confinement in the plasma membrane with single particle tracking.” Department of Chemistry, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA, April 1997.

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 12/110, Chemical Principles (Fall 2003, Fall 2004, Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009)
  • 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:

  • ACS Nano
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysical Journal
  • Chemistry & Biology
  • FASEB Journal
  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society

  • Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry

  • Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
  • Journal of Microscopy
  • Journal of Structural Biology
  • Langmuir
  • Nature Chemical Biology
  • Physical Review E

Reviewed grant applications for the following institutions:

  • US Department of Energy Site Visit, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • National Science Foundation
  • American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
  • Juniata College
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Association for Women in Science

Service

National

  • Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW), Biophysical Society, (2001-2006)

  • Organized CPOW-sponsored mentoring lunch for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists at the 2006 Annual Biophysical Society Meeting, in Salt Lake City UT, February 19, 2006.

  • Organized CPOW-sponsored mentoring lunch for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists at the 2005 Annual Biophysical Society Meeting, in Long Beach CA, February 13, 2005.

  • Organized CPOW-sponsored workshop at the 2004 Annual Biophysical Society Meeting on “Successful Mentoring in Science”, in Baltimore MD, February 16, 2004.

  • Organized CPOW-sponsored workshop at the 2003 Annual Biophysical Society Meeting on “Advancing in a New Position” in San Antonio TX, March 3, 2003.

    50th Anniversary Committee, Biophysical Society (2005-2006)

  • Early Careers Committee, Biophysical Society, (2006-2009)

  • Membership Committee, Biophysical Society, 2006 - present

  • Invited panelist for the “Transition from Postdoc to Faculty” Panel, at the Biophysical Society 52nd Annual Meeting and 16th International Biophysics Congress (IUPAB) in Long Beach CA, February 5, 2008.

  • Site visit reviewer, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Genomics: Genomes to Life (GTL) Program Project Review, June 14-15, 2006

    Organized the 4.5 day-long Physical Chemistry Symposium “Physical Chemistry Foundations of Biological Membrane Phenomena”, which was held during the Fall 2006 American Chemical Society Meeting in San Francisco CA, September 10-14, 2006. 

  • Member, Cell-mediated Immunity Member Conflict Study Section ZRG1 IMM-J 02 M, National Institutes of Health, June 20, 2008.

University

  • University NSF Nanoscale Selection Panel (2004)

  • Co-director, Biomaterials & Bionanotechnology Summer Institute (2005 – present)

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, 2008 - present)

  • Safety Committee (2003-2004, 2008 - present)

  • Nanobiotechnology Faculty Search Committee (2003-2005)

  • Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Recruiting (2004)

  • Graduate Affairs Faculty Think Tank (2004-2008)

  • Chair, Biological Chemistry Seminar Series (2004-2008)

  • Graduate Student Counseling Committee (2005-2008)

  • Graduate Student Awards Committee (2005-2008)

 

 
 

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