Louise Rollins-Smith

Last updated
Louise Rollins-Smith
Nationality American
Alma mater Hamline University, University of Minnesota
Scientific career
Fields Immunology, Amphibians, Antimicrobial peptides
Institutions Vanderbilt University
Thesis  (1977)

Louise Rollins-Smith is a professor of biological sciences, professor of pediatrics, and a professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology at Vanderbilt University. She is known for her work investigating host-pathogen interactions using amphibians as model organisms.

Contents

Education and career

Rollins-Smith received her Bachelor's degree in Biology at Hamline University, Saint Paul, Minnesota, before completing a Masters and a Ph.D. in zoology at the University of Minnesota in 1977. [1] Rollins-Smith was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Rochester before joining Vanderbilt University in 1984. [2]

Research

Rollins-Smith has studied disease and immunity in amphibians. Her early research was focused upon Lucké renal adenocarcinoma of leopard frogs, [3] [4] the development of immunological tolerance and immune changes at metamorphosis in frogs. [5] Rollins-Smith has also studied the effects of immunotoxic and agricultural chemicals on amphibian immunity. [6] [7] Rollins-Smith's research has examined the link between widespread amphibian declines and the amphibian chytrid fungi, Bactrochochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), [8] particularly in relation to amphibian immunity. [9] [10] Rollins-Smith has also become known for her work on amphibian skin antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Alongside her colleagues, she has provided evidence that the effectiveness of AMPs is a valuable predictor of amphibian species susceptibility to the Bd, [11] and that AMPs are potent inhibitors of viral infection, including HIV infection of human T lymphocytes. [12]

Selected publications

Honors and awards

Rollins-Smith was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2015. [13]

References

  1. ↑ "Vanderbilt University School of Medicine". wag.app.vanderbilt.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  2. ↑ "Rollins-Smith Lab Members | The Rollins-Smith Lab". www.vumc.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  3. ↑ Rollins-Smith, Louise A.; Cohen, Nicholas (September 1984). "Effect of Thyroxine on Induction of Lucké Renal Adenocarcinomas in Lucké Tumor Herpesvirus-Infected Leopard Frog Tadpoles2" . JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 73 (3): 717–720. doi:10.1093/jnci/73.3.717. ISSN   1460-2105. PMID   6332231.
  4. ↑ Rollins-Smith, Louise A.; Cohen, Nicholas (January 1982). "Effect of Thymectomy on Development of Lucké Renal Adenocarcinomas in Virus-Infected Leopard Frog Tadpoles23" . JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 68 (1): 133–138. doi:10.1093/jnci/68.1.133. ISSN   1460-2105. PMID   6275158.
  5. ↑ Rollins-Smith, Louise A.; Blair, Patrick J.; Davis, A. Tray (1992). "Thymus Ontogeny in Frogs: T-Cell Renewal at Metamorphosis". Journal of Immunology Research. 2 (3): 207–213. doi: 10.1155/1992/26251 . ISSN   2314-8861. PMC   2275863 . PMID   1320967.
  6. ↑ Rollins-Smith, Louise A.; Hopkins, B. Diane (1997-03-01). "F2 2:00 Immunotoxic effects of diazinon and lead on the developing hematopoietic system of Xenopus laevis" . Developmental & Comparative Immunology. The 7th Congress of The International Society of Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 21 (2): 121. doi:10.1016/S0145-305X(97)88572-2. ISSN   0145-305X.
  7. ↑ Christin, M. S.; Ménard, L.; Gendron, A. D.; Ruby, S.; Cyr, D.; Marcogliese, D. J.; Rollins-Smith, L.; Fournier, M. (2004-03-30). "Effects of agricultural pesticides on the immune system of Xenopus laevis and Rana pipiens" . Aquatic Toxicology. 67 (1): 33–43. Bibcode:2004AqTox..67...33C. doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2003.11.007. ISSN   0166-445X. PMID   15019249.
  8. ↑ "Amphibian population on the decline". Stewart-Houston Times. 1998-10-27. p. 15. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  9. ↑ Brown, Josh (2014-07-14). "Scientists find new weapon to fight deadly frog virus". The Tennessean. pp. A13. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  10. ↑ Phelan, Meagan (17 October 2013). "Fatal Frog Fungus Maneuvers Past Immune System". American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  11. ↑ Rollins-Smith, Louise A.; Doersam, Jennifer K.; Longcore, Joyce E.; Taylor, Sharon K.; Shamblin, Jessica C.; Carey, Cynthia; Zasloff, Michael A. (2002-01-01). "Antimicrobial peptide defenses against pathogens associated with global amphibian declines" . Developmental & Comparative Immunology. 26 (1): 63–72. doi:10.1016/S0145-305X(01)00041-6. ISSN   0145-305X. PMID   11687264.
  12. ↑ Pinto, Claudia (2005-10-21). "Frog secretions block HIV infections, VU study finds". The Tennessean. pp. A1, . Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  13. ↑ Stern, Gavin (November 16, 2015). "2015 AAAS Fellows Recognized for Contributions to Advancing Science". American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Retrieved 2025-04-09.
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