Christi  A. Walter, Ph.D.

 We focus on the DNA base excision repair pathway and its ability to repair spontaneous and induced DNA damage as relevant to hepatocellular carcinoma, germ cell mutations, and mitochondrial DNA stability. A multipronged approach involving stem cells, germ cells, hepatocytes, animal models, molecular biology, cell biology, aging and genetics is employed to determine how base excision repair goes awry and results in disease.  We seek to define the key regulators that become dysfunctional in disease and identify molecular targets that may be useful in correcting the repair deficiency for the long-term goals of preventing and reducing disease in which base excision repair is a key factor.

Related Disease: Hepatocellular carcinoma, de novo genetic diseases in children (e.g. achondroplasia, autism spectrum disorder), genetic diseases caused by mitochondrial DNA mutations

Techniques: Next-generation sequencing, computational biology, CometChip assays, cell culture, general molecular and cell biology techniques, proximity labeling

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 1992 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Postdoctoral Fellow, Human Cytogenics Program, Human Molecular Genetics - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1988 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Biochemical Carcinogenesis and Molecular Biology - M.D. Anderson, Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park - Research Division
  • 1986 - PhD - Cellular & Developmental Biology - The Florida State University
  • 1980 - BS - Biology (Summa Cum Laude) - Rockhurst College

  Appointments

  • 6/2008 - Professor and Chair - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Cellular & Structural Biology, San Antonio
  • 9/2004 - Interim Chair and Professor - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, San Antonio
  • 9/2000 - Professor - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Cellular & Structural Biology, San Antonio

• Instruction & Training

  • - Present, Rotation Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2012 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 8/2009 - Present, Core Course III/Cell Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 2017-Present, CSAT 5025 Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 9/2008 - Present, Masters' Thesis Directed, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 9/1998 - Present, CSAT - 6005 Rigor and Reproducibility, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

• Research & Grants

  We focus on the DNA base excision repair pathway as relevant to hepatocellular carcinoma, germ cell mutations, and mitochondrial DNA stability. Her laboratory discovered that AP endonuclease 1 is a critical factor in these processes using a mouse model. A multipronged approach involving stem cells, germ cells, hepatocytes, animal models, molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics is used. ​Related Diseases: Hepatocellular carcinoma, de novo genetic diseases in children (e.g., achondroplasia, autism spectrum disorder). Techniques:  CometChip assays, cell culture, general molecular and cell biology techniques, proximity labeling of interacting proteins

  Research profile

  Grants

  Federal

  NIH R01 ES015869:  Shcherbakova (PI), Walter (Subcontract PI); 09/01/2019-08/31/2020; Translesion synthesis DNA polymerases and genome instability.

  NIH R56 AG052581: Walter (PI); 09/30/2017 – 08/31/2020; Tumor Suppressors Mediate a Reduction in Male Gamete Quality with Aging.

  Institutional

  Barshop Institute Pilot Grant: (Walter-PI);  08/15/2020 – 06/30/2021; The APEX1 interactome in germ cell aging.

• Publications

  • Christi A. Walter Publications