Associate Professor & Chair of Biology
Office: 162 Watson, Lab: 157 Watson
Ph: 704-894-2338, Fax: 704-894-2512
Email:balom@davidson.edu

Lom Lab Protocols
Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education (JUNE)
SYNAPSE   Symposium for Young Neuroscientists And Professors of the Southeast

Courses
Taught
Biology 111 • Molecules, Genes, & Cells
Biology 251 • Light Microscopy (Group Investigation)
Biology 261 • Neuroscience of Exercise (Seminar)
Biology 306 • Developmental Biology
Biology 333 • Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
Biology 371 • Independent Research

Education

1989 • B.A. in Biology and Neuroscience, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI

1995 • Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
1995-1997 • Postdoc at Biology Department, UCSD, La Jolla, CA

1997-1999 • Postdoc at Mental Retardation Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Research My laboratory investigates how individual neurons wire themselves together into a precisely interconnected and functional nervous system. Specifically, the lab is interested in how growth factors direct axon extension and innervation, as well as intracellular signaling mechanisms that translate external neurotrophic signals into specific cellular responses such as growth cone formation and the elaboration of axonal and dendritic arbors. Our neuron of choice is the retinal ganglion cell (RGC), the only neuron that connects the eye to the brain. These connections must be formed with extreme precision in order for an organism to see. RGC cell bodies and dendrites reside in the retina, while thier axons follow a stereotypic pathway to synapse in the brain. We can manipulate and observe developing RGCs particularly well in tad poles of the South African claw-toed frog, (Xenopus laevis). With the developing Xenopus visual system we are studying how neurotrophic molecules influence RGC axonogenesis, axonal vs. dendritic arborization, growth cone navigation, target recognition, and synaptogenesis in vivo.

My laboratory also investigates the role of the cholinergic signaling in developing spinal neurons.  We use transgenic zebrafish embryos to understand how the pesticide malathion influences neurogenesis and axon guidance. 

Selected Publications (* indicates student authors)

*Lom B (2012) Classroom activities:  Simple strategies to incorporate student-centered activities within undergraduate science lectures.  Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education in press.

*McFarlane S, Lom B (2012) The Xenopus retinal ganglion cell as a model neuron to study the establishment of neuronal connectivity.  Developmental Neurobiology 72:520-536.  (abstract & pdf)

*Multhaup, KS, Denham S, Kelly H, Lom B (2011) A mechanism for multidisciplinary dialogue:  The Momory & ... series.  Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education 10: A9-13 (abstract & pdf)

*Hurd MW, Lom B, Silver WL (2011) SYNAPSE, Symposium for Young Neuroscientists and Professors of the Southeast:  A one-day, regional neuroscience meeting focusing on undergraduate research.  Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education 9: A75-83 (abstract & pdf)

*Lom B (2009) mRNA targeting: growth cone guidance.  Encyclopedia of Neuroscience 13: 2453-56

*Ruble JE; Lom B (2008) Online protocol annotation: a method to enhance undergraduate laboratory research skills. CBE Life Sciences Education 7:296-301. (abstract & PDF)

Watson FL; Lom B (2008) More than a picture: helping undergraduates learn to communicate through scientific images. CBE Life Sciences Education 7:27-35 (abstract & PDF)

*Chemotti DC; *Davis SN; *Cook LW; *Willoughby IR; Paradise CJ; Lom B (2006) The pesticide malathion disrupts Xenopus and zebrafish embryogenesis: An investigative laboratory exercise in developmental toxicology. Bioscence: Journal of College Biology Teaching, 32:4-18.

*Cook LW; Paradise CJ; Lom B (2005) The pesticide malathion reduces survival and growth in developing zebrafish. Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry 24: 1745-50. (abstract)

Cohen-Cory S; Lom B (2004) Neurotrophic regulation of retinal ganglion cell synaptic connectivity: From axons and dendrites to synapses. International Journal of Developmental Biology 48: 947-56. (abstract & PDF)

*Rigel R; Lom B (2004) Xenopus laevis retinal ganglion cell dendritic arbors develop independently of visual stimulation. Impulse 1: 51-58. (abstract & PDF)

Lom B; Cogen J; Lontok Sanchez AY; Vu T; Cohen-Cory S (2002) Local and target-derived brain-derived neurotrophic factor exert opposing effects on the dendritic arborization of retinal ganglion cells in vivo. Journal of Neuroscience 22: 7639-49. (abstract & PDF)

Lom B; Cohen-Cory S (1999) Brain-derived neurotrophic factor differentially regulates retinal ganglion cell dendritic and axonal arborization in vivo. Journal of Neuroscience 19: 9928-9938. (abstract & PDF)

Lom B; Hopker V; McFarlane S; Bixby JL; Holt CE (1998) Fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling in Xenopus retinal axon extension. Journal of Neurobiology 37: 633-641. (abstract)

Xenopus Staging Table (by Will Graham, '02)