Faculty
Biological Sciences has more than 60 full-time faculty members, as well as more than 20 faculty with joint appointments and 15 visiting or adjunct professors. Among its many distinctions and honors, the Ph.D. program faculty includes two members of the National Academy of Sciences, four members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 18 holders of endowed chairs and professorships.
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Chien-Ping KoProfessor of Biological SciencesContact Information E-mail: cko@college.usc.edu Phone: (213) 740-9182 Office: HNB 209A Office Hours: W, F : 2-3 PM |
Education
- B.S. Zoology, National Taiwan University, Tawain, 5/1970
- Ph.D. Physiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 5/1975
Postdoctoral Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, 1978-1981
- Postdoctroal Fellow, University of Colorado Medical Center, 1975-1978
Academic Appointment, Affiliation, and Employment History
- Professor, University of Southern California, Fall 1996
- Associate Professor, University of Southern California, Fall 1987
- Assistant Professor, University of Southern California, Spring 1981
Description of Research
Summary Statement of Research Interests
Professor Ko's research interests include cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic function, regeneration, development, remodeling and maintenance. His current research focuses on the role of the perisynaptic Schwann cell (PSC) and synapse-glial interactions at a prototype synapse, the neuromuscular junction. He is also interested in motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Professor Ko uses transgenic mouse models to investigate various aspects of the disease mechanisms.
Research Keywords
cellular neurobiology, synapse formation, sprouting, remodeling and maintenance, synaptic transmission, synapse-glial interactions, neuromuscular junction, Schwann cells, amyotrophical lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, motor neuron disease
Publications
Book Chapter
- Ko, C., Sugiura, Y., Feng, Z. (2007). The Biology of perisynaptic (terminal) Schwann cells. pp. p.72-99. Cambridge: The Biology of Schwann cells/Cambridge University Press.
Encyclopedia Article
- Feng, Z., Ko, C. (2009). Schwann Cells and Plasticity of the Neuromuscular Junction. (L.R. Squire, Ed.). 491-496. Vol. 8. Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Oxford: Academic Press.
- Ko, C. (2001). Neuromuscular System. 10595-10600. Oxford: International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Journal Article
- Feng, Z., Ko, C. (2008). Schwann cells promote synaptogenesis at the neuromuscular junction via Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-beta1. (This paper was highlighted in This Week in The Journal, and recommended by Faculty of 1000 Biology). Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 28, pp. 9599-9609..
- Ko, C. (2008). Do nerve terminal sprouts contribute to functional recovery from botulinum neurotoxin A?. Journal of Physiology (Lond.). Vol. 586, pp. 3021.
- Feng, Z., Ko, C. (2008). The Role of Glial Cells in the Formation and Maintenance of the Neuromuscular Junction. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.. Vol. 1132, pp. 19-28.
- Cao, G., Ko, C. (2007). Schwann cell-derived factors modulate synaptic activities at developing neuromuscular synapses. The Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 27 (25), pp. 6712-6722.
- Feng, Z., Ko, C. (2007). Neuronal-glia interactions at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction. Current Opinion in Pharmacology. Vol. 7, pp. 316-324.
- Feng, Z., Ko, C. (2005). Synapse-Glia Interactions at the Vertebrate Neuromuscular Junction. The Neuroscientist. Vol. 11, pp. 503-513.
- Corfas, G., Velardez, M., Ko, C., Ratner, N., Peles, E. (2004). Mechanisms and roles of axon-Schwann cell interactions. Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 24, pp. 9250-9260.
- Koirala, S., Ko, C. (2004). Pruning an axon piece by piece: a new mode of synapse elimination. Neuron. Vol. 44, pp. 578-580.
- Reddy, L. V., Koirala, S., Sugiura, Y., Herrera, A. A., Ko, C. (2003). Glial cells maintain synaptic structure and function and promote development of the neuromuscular junction in vivo. (This paper was recommended by Faculty of 1000 Biology). Neuron/Cell Press. Vol. 40, pp. 563-580.
- Ko, Chien-Ping and Thompson, Wesley J. (Ed.). (2003). The Neuromuscular Junction-a Special Issue. Journal of Neurocytology. Vol. 32, pp. 421-1037.
- Koirala, S., Reddy, L. V., Ko, C. (2003). Roles of glial cells in the formation, function, and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. Journal of Neurocytology. Vol. 32, pp. 987-1002.
- Peng, H., Yang, J., Dai, Z., Lee, C., Hung, H., Feng, Z., Ko, C. (2003). Differential effects of neurotrophins and Schwann cell-derived signals on neuronal survival/growth and synaptogenesis. The Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 23, pp. 5050-5060.
- Brandon, E., Lin, W., D'Amour, K., Pizzo, D., Dominguez, B., Sugiura, Y., Thode, S., Ko, C., Thal, L., Gage, F., Lee, K. (2003). Aberrant patterning of neuromuscular synapses in choline acetyltransferase deficient mice. The Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 23, pp. 539-549.
- Yang, J., Cao, G., Koirala, S., Reddy, L. V., Ko, C. (2001). Schwann cells express active agrin and enhance acetylcholine receptor aggregation on muscle fibers. The Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 21, pp. 9572-9584.
Honors and Awards
- NIH/NSF Career Development Award, 1983-1987
Service to the University
Administrative Appointments
- Head, Neurobiology Section, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 08/16/2009-08/15/2012
Service to the Profession
Editorships and Editorial Boards
- Editorial Board member, Neuron Glia Biology, 2004-
- Associate Editor, Brain Cell Biology, 2006-2008
- Associate Editor, Journal of Neurocytology, 2000-2005