Biography
Harriet is a graduate student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) at UW-Madison. Her work focuses on asking fundamental questions in neuronal cell biology. Specifically, Harriet is interested in the microtubule cytoskeleton, microtubule post-translational modifications (PTMs) and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Leveraging multidisciplinary approaches including microscopy, genetics and biochemistry, this work has provided insights into understanding how neurons balance microtubule dynamics and stability in order to regulate cell morphology and function.
Publications
Courtney E Coombes*, Harriet AJ Saunders*, Anirudh G Mannava, Dena M Johnson-Schlitz, Taylor A Reid, Sneha Parmar, Mark McClellan, Connie Yan, Stephen L. Rogers, Jay Parrish, Michael Wagenbach, Linda Wordeman, Jill Wildonger, Melissa Gardner. 2020. Non-enzymatic activity of the α-tubulin acetyltransferase αTAT1 limits synaptic bouton growth in neurons. Current Biology 30(4):610-623.
*These authors contributed equally
Michael T Kelliher, Harriet AJ Saunders, Jill Wildonger. 2019. Microtubule control of functional architecture in neurons. Current Opinion in Neurobiology 57:39-45.
Brian V Jenkins, Harriet AJ Saunders, Helena L Record, Dena M Johnson-Schlitz, Jill Wildonger. 2017. Effects of mutating α-tubulin lysine 40 on sensory dendrite development. Journal of Cell Science 130(24):4120-4131.
Chris P. Lapointe, Melanie A. Preston, Daniel Wilinski, Harriet AJ Saunders, Zachary T Campbell, Marvin Wickens. 2017. Architecture and dynamics of overlapped RNA regulatory networks. RNA 23(11):1636-1647.
Chris P. Lapointe, Daniel Wilinski, Harriet AJ Saunders, Marvin Wickens. 2015. Protein-RNA networks revealed through covalent RNA marks. Nature Methods 12(12):1163-70.
Research Experience
2015-Present University Of Wisconsin - Madison
Advisor: Jill Wildonger, Jean V. Thomas Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Focus: The role of microtubule acetylation in neuronal development.
2014-2015 University Of Wisconsin - Madison
Advisor: Marvin Wickens, Max Perutz Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Focus: Developing methods to probe protein-RNA interactions.
Fall 2013 The John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
Advisor: Lars Østergaard, Professor and Programme Leader (Genes in the Environment)
Focus: The role of auxin in transcription factor interactions during gynaecium development in Arabidopsis and Brassica fruits.
2012-2013 University Of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Advisor: Caroline Dart, Deputy Head of Biochemistry
Thesis: The effect of oxidative stress on the ERK and p38 signalling pathways in the vasculature.
Focus: Stress response and the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway.
Summers, 2006-2008 The John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
Advisor: Lars Østergaard, Professor and Programme Leader (Genes in the Environment)
Focus: Creation of a TILLING population in Brassica rapa.
Contact
Get in touch with Harriet: Harriet's email
Harriet is a graduate student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) at UW-Madison. Her work focuses on asking fundamental questions in neuronal cell biology. Specifically, Harriet is interested in the microtubule cytoskeleton, microtubule post-translational modifications (PTMs) and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Leveraging multidisciplinary approaches including microscopy, genetics and biochemistry, this work has provided insights into understanding how neurons balance microtubule dynamics and stability in order to regulate cell morphology and function.
Publications
Courtney E Coombes*, Harriet AJ Saunders*, Anirudh G Mannava, Dena M Johnson-Schlitz, Taylor A Reid, Sneha Parmar, Mark McClellan, Connie Yan, Stephen L. Rogers, Jay Parrish, Michael Wagenbach, Linda Wordeman, Jill Wildonger, Melissa Gardner. 2020. Non-enzymatic activity of the α-tubulin acetyltransferase αTAT1 limits synaptic bouton growth in neurons. Current Biology 30(4):610-623.
*These authors contributed equally
Michael T Kelliher, Harriet AJ Saunders, Jill Wildonger. 2019. Microtubule control of functional architecture in neurons. Current Opinion in Neurobiology 57:39-45.
Brian V Jenkins, Harriet AJ Saunders, Helena L Record, Dena M Johnson-Schlitz, Jill Wildonger. 2017. Effects of mutating α-tubulin lysine 40 on sensory dendrite development. Journal of Cell Science 130(24):4120-4131.
Chris P. Lapointe, Melanie A. Preston, Daniel Wilinski, Harriet AJ Saunders, Zachary T Campbell, Marvin Wickens. 2017. Architecture and dynamics of overlapped RNA regulatory networks. RNA 23(11):1636-1647.
Chris P. Lapointe, Daniel Wilinski, Harriet AJ Saunders, Marvin Wickens. 2015. Protein-RNA networks revealed through covalent RNA marks. Nature Methods 12(12):1163-70.
Research Experience
2015-Present University Of Wisconsin - Madison
Advisor: Jill Wildonger, Jean V. Thomas Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Focus: The role of microtubule acetylation in neuronal development.
2014-2015 University Of Wisconsin - Madison
Advisor: Marvin Wickens, Max Perutz Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Focus: Developing methods to probe protein-RNA interactions.
Fall 2013 The John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
Advisor: Lars Østergaard, Professor and Programme Leader (Genes in the Environment)
Focus: The role of auxin in transcription factor interactions during gynaecium development in Arabidopsis and Brassica fruits.
2012-2013 University Of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Advisor: Caroline Dart, Deputy Head of Biochemistry
Thesis: The effect of oxidative stress on the ERK and p38 signalling pathways in the vasculature.
Focus: Stress response and the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway.
Summers, 2006-2008 The John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
Advisor: Lars Østergaard, Professor and Programme Leader (Genes in the Environment)
Focus: Creation of a TILLING population in Brassica rapa.
Contact
Get in touch with Harriet: Harriet's email