Dept. of Biological Sciences

Loren W. Knapp

Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Advising, Natural Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
803-777-2505
lwknapp@cosm.sc.edu
Lucas & Knapp (1997) Journal of Experimental Biology, 200, 2653. JEB cover shows spicules in the octocoral Leptogorgia virgulata.

Research Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Ph.D., 1980, University of Chicago

Director, Monoclonal Antibody Facility

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Tissue Interactions; Cytoskeletal Structure and Function; Immunological Approaches to Problems in Cell and Developmental Biology

Dr. Knapp is a cell and developmental biologist whose research interests focus on understanding the role of the cytoskeleton in cell interactions during the morphogenesis, histogenesis and biochemical differentiation of the integument. Cytokeratins and other elements of the cytoskeleton are intimately associated with cellular junctions, such as desmosomes, but little is known about how they are organized and function in these relationships with cell adhesion complexes. Dr. Knapp is using molecular, biochemical and immunological approaches to investigate how cytoplasmic interactions involving alpha and/or beta-type cytokeratins occur during the differentiation of skin. In vivo studies with mice and birds target the development, growth and differentiation of the epidermis and its derivatives (e.g. hair, scales, feathers), particularly the assembly and organization of cytokeratins with keratin-associated proteins. In vitro studies target the interactions of cytokeratins and other intermediate-sized filaments with cytoskeletal microfilaments, microtubules and the cell membrane in normal and transformed epithelial cells in culture.

Dr. Knapp also directs the Monoclonal Antibody Facility, which is a core unit of the University's Institute for Biological Research and Technology. The facility provides immunological products for researchers who do not have the time, space or training for independent development of such molecular probes for their research.

Selected Publications:

Sawyer, R. H., B. A. Salvatore, T. F. Potylicki, J. O. French, T. C. Glenn, and L. W. Knapp. (2002). Origin of feathers: Feather beta (?) keratins are expressed in discrete epidermal cell populations of embryonic scutate scales. Journal of Experimental Zoology (Molecular and Developmental Evolution) In Press.

Sawyer, RH, Knapp LW. (2002). Embryonic Induction. In: Keywords and concepts in Evolutionary Developmental Biology (eds. Brian K. Hall and Wendy M. Olsen) Harvard University Press, Cambridge. In press.

Lucas, JM and Knapp, LW (1997) A physiological evaluation of carbon sources for calcification in the octocoral Leptogorgia virgulata (Lamarck) J. Exp. Biol 200: 2653-2662.

Lucas, J. and L. W. Knapp. 1996. Biochemical Characterization of Purified Carbonic Anhydrase from the Octocoral, Leptogorgia Virgulata. Marine Biology. 126(3):471-478.

Watabe, N., L. W. Knapp, J. Osterman, M. Oishi, T. Kawaguchi, H. Takagi, and R. Kingsley. 1994. A Spicule-Collagen Degrading Enzyme in the Gorgorian, Leptogorgia Virgulata. Bulletin de L'institute Oceanographic de Monaco.

Yoon, K. S., Y. P. Chen, C. R. Lovell, D. E. Lincoln, L. W. Knapp, and S. A. Woodin. 1994. Localization of the Chloroperoxidase of Capitellid Polychaete, Notomastus Lobatus. Biol. Bull. 187:215-222.

Knapp, L. W. , R. B. Shames, G. L. Barnes, and R. H. Sawyer. 1993. Region-Specific Patterns of Beta Keratin Expression during Avian Skin Development. Developmental Dynamics. 196:283-290.

Knapp, L.W. and Dawson, W.D. 1991. Morphological Analysis of Hair in the hr-2 Mutant Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). J. Heredity 82:431.

Knapp, L.W. , Linser, P.J., Carver, W.E., and Sawyer, R.H. 1991. Biochemical Identification and Immunological Localization of Two Non-keratin Polypeptides Associated with the Terminal Differentiation of Avian Scale Epidermis. Cell Tissue Res. 265:535.

Knapp, L.W. and Bunn, C.L. 1987. The Experimental Manipulation of Keratin Expression and Organization in Epithelial Cells and Somatic Cell Hybrids. Curr. Topics in Devel. Biol. 22:69.

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