Dr. Glenn Sauer

Research in Cellular Biochemistry

Metal ions such as calcium and zinc are essential to life, playing many important roles including the formation of bone and other skeletal tissues. Imbalances in these elements can lead to skeletal tissue pathologies such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. My research focuses on the cellular processing of metal ions in bone-forming cells and how biological macromolecules control metal metabolism. We hope that these studies will contribute to our knowledge of why debilitating bone diseases occur and how they may be prevented. In addition, we seek to discover basic information on trace metal biochemistry. A variety of biochemical and analytical techniques are used to study trace metals in cultured cells that are able to form crystalline calcium phosphate bone mineral. Understanding the ways in which metal ions influence cell development and function is a major goal of these projects. New research approaches utilizing fluorescent intracellular probes to examine the movement of zinc and other metal ions through cells will “shed light” on the role of these elements in biological mineralization.

Courses Taught:

• BI 96 God and Modern Biology
• BI 170 & 171 - General Biology I & II (Majors)
• BI 326 Biochemistry
• BI 395 & 396 Independent Research I & II
• BI 397 & 398 Internships

Recent Publications:

Wu, L.N.Y., G.R. Sauer, B.R. Genge, W.B. Valhmu and R.E. Wuthier (2003). Effects of analogues of inorganic phosphate and sodium ion on mineralization of matrix vesicles isolated from growth plate cartilage of rapidly growing chickens. J. Inorg. Biochem, 94: 221-335.

Blandford, N. R., G.R. Sauer, B.R. Sauer, L.N.Y. Wu, and R.E. Wuthier (2003). Modeling of matrix vesicle biomineralization using large unilamellar vesicles. J. Inorg. Biochem. 94: 14-27.

Sauer, G.R., D.M. Smith, M. Cahalane, L.N.Y. Wu amd R.E. Wuthier (2003). Intracellular Zinc Fluxes Associated with Apoptosis in Growth Plate Chondrocytes. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 954-969.

Genge, B.R., L.N.Y. Wu, G.R. Sauer, R.E. Wuthier, and R. Genge (2002). Biocompatible Cement Containing Reactive Phosphate Nanoparticles and Methods for Making and Using Such Cement. United States Patent Application Publication. Pub. No.: US 2002/0073894 A1.

Sauer, G. R., L.N.Y. Wu, D. Nie, and R.E. Wuthier (1999). Cell differentiation alters metallothionein expression in avian growth plate chondrocytes. In: Metallothionein IV (C. Klaassen, ed.). Birkhauser Verlag, Basel. pp. 333-338.

Nie, D., Y. Ishikawa, Y. Guo, L.N.Y. Wu, B.R. Genge, R.E. Wuthier, and G.R. Sauer (1998). Inhibition of terminal differentiation and matrix calcification in cultured avian growth plate chondrocytes by Rous sarcoma virus transformation. J. Cell Biochem. 69: 453-462.

Sauer, G.R., D. Nie, L.N.Y. Wu and R.E. Wuthier (1998). Induction and characterization of metallothionein in chicken epiphyseal growth plate cartilage chondrocytes. J. Cell. Biochem. 68: 110-120.

Litchfield. T.M., Y. Ishikawa, L.N.Y. Wu, R.E. Wuthier and G.R. Sauer (1998). Effect of metal ions on calcifying growth plate cartilage chondrocytes. Calcif. Tiss. Int. 62: 341-349.