Dr Michael A Menze
Assistant Professor
Office: 2029 - Life Science
Phone: 217-581-6386
Email: mmenze@eiu.edu
http://ux1.eiu.edu/~mmenze/index.html
Michael Menze's Vita
Dr. Menze finished his PhD in 2001 in the fields of comparative animal physiology and molecular biophysics as part of a joint project between the Institute for Animal Physiology in Düsseldorf and the Institute for Molecular Biophysics in Mainz, Germany. He was fascinated with the complex interactions of small molecules and proteins that increase the ability of crustaceans to survive times of reduced oxygen availability. Immediately after finishing his PhD he joined the team of Dr. Steven Hand at Louisiana State University, and his research continued to focus on the strategies that animals develop to tolerate extreme environmental insults. After finishing his postdoctoral training in 2006 he continued to work at Louisiana State University as an Assistant Research Professor until he joined Eastern Illinois University in 2010. Since 2006, Dr. Menze has maintained a Visiting Scientist Appointment at Harvard Medical School where he developed strong collaborations with Dr. Mehmet Toner at the Center for Engineering in Medicine. In 2010, Dr. Menze was part of an expedition to Antarctica where he investigated the molecular adaptations of fish to constant cold. His main research is focused on the question: how can some animals survive intense environmental insults such as complete dehydration, freezing, or lack of oxygen on the cellular level? His goal is to elucidate the biological principles that enable extremotolerant animals to survive environmental insults at the molecular, organelle, cellular, and whole animal levels and to apply his findings in order to treat mitochondrial dysfunctions and to improve the preservation of mammalian cells and tissues. Dr. Menze maintains a strong student centered research program. Prospective undergraduate and graduate students that are interested in performing research in his laboratory are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Menze.
To access manuscripts and publication please see:http://works.bepress.com/michael_menze/
Current Syllabi
Frequently Taught Courses
Molecular and Cellular Biology (BIO 3120), Animal Physiology (BIO 3520), Advanced Molecular Cell Biology (BIO 4751).
Education
2001 Dr. rer. nat.
Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
1997 Dipl. Biol.
Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
Major: Zoology (Physiology)
Minors: Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry
Professional Organizations
Biophysical Society, Mitochondrial Physiology Society (MIP), Society of Experimental Biology (SEB), Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), Illinois State Academy of Sciences (ISAS).
Speakers Bureau
For more information, please visit the Speakers Bureau Webpage.
Engaging students in undergraduate research
Research
Some animals are capable of surviving extreme environmental insults. I am interested in the adaptations of extremotolerant animals to environmental insults such as desiccation, heat shock, freezing, and hypoxia. My goal is to elucidate the biological principles at the molecular, organelle, cellular and whole animal levels that enable these exceptional animals to survive life-threatening conditions. Part of my research focus on the role of protective proteins (e.g. heat shock proteins, late embryogenesis abundant proteins, ice nucleation proteins) in stabilizing cellular membranes and proteins during desiccation and freezing. I am especially interested in how the mitochondrion is functionally preserved in animals that undergo complete desiccation. Understanding the principles that govern life under extreme conditions will greatly enhance our ability to preserve clinical important cellular materials and help us to better understand and treat diseases that involve mitochondrial dysfunctions.
Publications
Hand S.C., Patil Y., Li S., Charkaborty N., Borcar A., Menze M.A., Bosewell L.C., Moore D., and Toner M. (2013). Diapause and anhydrobiosis in embryos of Artemia franciscana: metabolic depression, LEA proteins, and water stress. Cryobiology and Cryotechnology 59 (1): 41-46.
Marunde* M.A., Samarajeewaa D.A., Anderson J., Li S., Hand S.C., and Menze M.A. (2013). Improved tolerance to salt and water stress in Drosophila melanogaster cells conferred by late embryogenesis abundant protein. Journal of Insect Physiology 59: 377-386.
Borcar A., Menze M.A., Toner M., Hand S.C. (2013). Metabolic preconditioning of mammalian cells: mimetic agents for hypoxia lack fidelity in promoting phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Cell Tissue Res. 351 (1): 99-106.
Li S, Chakraborty N, Borcar A, Menze MA, Toner M, Hand SC. (2012). Late embryogenesis abundant proteins protect human hepatoma cells during acute desiccation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 109 (51): 20859-64.
Pobrabsky J.E., Menze M.A., and Hand S.C. (2012). Long-term survival of anoxia despite rapid ATP decline in embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus. Journal of Experimental Zoology 317 (8):524-32.
Chakraborty N., Menze M.A., Heidi Elmoazzen H., Vu H., Yarmush M.L., Hand S.C., and Toner M. (2012).Trehalose transporter from African chironomid improves desiccation tolerance of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. Cryobiology 64(2): 91-6.
Chakraborty N., Menze M.A., Malsam J., Aksan A., Hand S.C., and Toner M. (2011). Cryopreservation of spin-dried mammalian cells. PLOS 6 (9):e24916.
Hand S.C., Menze M.A., Borcar A., Patil Y., Covi J.A., Reynolds J. A, and Toner M. (2011). Metabolic Restructuring during Energy-Limited States: Insights from Artemia franciscana embryos and other animals. Journal of Insect Physiology 57(5): 584-94.
Chang A., Chakraborty N., Elmoazzen H., Menze M.A., Hand S.C., and Toner M. (2011). Spin-drying technique for lyopreservation of mammalian cells. Annals of Biomedical Engineering 39(5): 1582-91.
Hand S.C, Menze M.A., Toner M, Boswell L., and Moore D. (2011). Expression of LEA proteins during water stress: not just for plants anymore. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 17 (73):115-34.
Menze M.A.,Banerjee M., Clavenna M., Liu X.H., Toner M. and Hand S.C. (2010). Metabolic preconditioning of cells with AICAR-riboside: improved cryopreservation and cell-type specific impacts on energetics and proliferation.Cryobiology (61): 79-88.
Menze M.A., Fortner* G., Nag* S,. and Hand S.C.(2010). Mechanisms of apoptosis in Crustacea: what conditions induce versus suppress cell death? Apoptosis 15 (3): 293-313.
Menze M.A.,and Hand S.C. (2009). How do animal mitochondria tolerate water stress? Commun. Integr. Biol. 2 (5): 428-430.
Menze M.A., Boswell L., Toner M. and Hand S.C. (2009). Occurrence of mitochondrial-targeted late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) gene in animals increases organelle resistance to water stress. J. Biol. Chem. 284 (16): 10714-10719.
Bauer A., Menze M.A., and Grieshaber M.K. (2009).Thermodynamics of effector binding to hemocyanin: influence of temperature. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 483 (1): 37-44.
He X., Fowler A., Menze M.A., Hand S.C. and Toner M. (2008). Desiccation kinetics and bio-thermodynamics of glass forming trehalose solutions in thin films. Ann. Biomed. Eng.36: 1428-39.
Hand S.C. and Menze M.A. (2008). Preservation of cells using reversible pore formation. United States Patent 7314755.
Hand S.C and Menze M.A. (2008). Mitochondria under energy-limited states: mechanism that blunt the signaling of cell death. J. Exp. Biol.211: 1829-1840.
Menze M.A.and Hand S.C. (2007). Caspase activity during cell stasis: avoidance of apoptosis in an invertebrate extremophile, Artemia franciscana. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 292: R2039-R2047.
Menze M.A.Perspectives in Zoophysiology. In: Höhepunkte der Zoologischen Forschung, edited by Waegele J.W., Basilisken-Press, Marburg, 2007, pp. 243-249.
Hand S.C. and Menze M.A. Desiccation stress. In: Encyclopedia of tide pools and rocky shores, edited by Denny M.W. and Gaines S.D., University of California Press, Berkeley, 2007, pp. 173-177.
Hand S.C, Jones D., Menze M.A. and Witt T.L. (2007). Life without water: expression of plant LEA genes by an anhydrobiotic arthropod. J. Exp. Zool. 307 (A): 62–66.
Elliott G., CusickJ., Liu X.H.,Menze M.A., Vincent* J., Witt T., Hand S. and Toner M. (2006). Trehalose uptake through P2X7 purinergic channels provides desiccation protection. Cryobiology 52 (1): 114-127.
Buchanan S.S., Menze M.A., Hand S.C., Pyatt D.W. and Carpenter J. (2005). Cryopreservation of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells loaded with trehalose: transient permeabilization via the adenosine triphosphate-dependent P2Z receptor channel. Cell Preservation Technology 3 (4): 212-222.
Liu X.H., Akasan A., Menze M.A., Hand S.C. and Toner M. (2005). Trehalose loading through the mitochondrial permeability transition pore enhances desiccation tolerance in rat liver mitochondria. Biochim. Biophys. Acta.1717 (1): 21–26.
Menze M.A., Hellmann N., Decker H. and Grieshaber M.K. (2005). Allosteric models for multimeric proteins: Oxygen-linked effector binding in hemocyanin. Biochemistry 44 (30):10328-10338.
Menze M.A., Hutchinson K., Laborde S.M. and Hand S.C. (2005). Mitochondrial permeability transition in the crustacean Artemia franciscana: Absence of a Ca2+-regulated pore in the face of profound calcium storage. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.289 (1): R68-R76.
Menze M.A., Clavenna M. and Hand S.C. (2005). Depression of cell metabolism and proliferation by membrane permeable and impermeable modulators: Role for AMP:ATP ratio. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.288 (2): R501-R510.
Menze M.A., Hellmann N., Decker H. and Grieshaber M.K. (2001). Binding of urate and caffeine to hemocyanin analyzed by isothermal titration calorimetry. J. Exp. Biol.204: 1033-1038.
Menze M.A.,Hellmann N., Decker H. and Grieshaber M.K. (2000). Binding of urate and caffeine to hemocyanin of the lobster Homarus vulgaris as studied by isothermal titration calorimetry. Biochemistry 39 (35): 10806-10811.
*undergraduate student researcher
Conference Presentations
Posters and Oral Papers (past two years)
Fernandez* W., Erbacher* L., Konkle M., and Menze M.A. Examining the role of estrogen and oxidative damage in Alzheimer's Disease. Council on Undegraduate Research (CUR) Poster on the Hill event: to highlight undergraduate research to U.S. Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill. Washington, DC, 2013.
Tofte* A., Nathan B., and Menze M.A. Mitochondrial bioenergetics in response to estrogen therapy. Presented at the annual meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Science. Jacksonville, IL, 2013.
Ferry* N., Roland* F., Konkle M., and Menze M.A. Type-2 Diabetes: Does mitoNEET impact mitochondrial functions by multiple mechanisms? Presented at the annual National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). La Crosse, WI, 2013.
Fernandez* W., Nathan B., and Menze M.A. Decline in mitochondrial respiration in post-ovariectomy mice is ameliorated by beta-estradiol treatment. Presented at the annual National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). La Crosse, WI, 2013.
Marunde* M., and Menze M.A. Late Embryogenesis Abundant Protein Improves Mitochondrial Function under Salt and Water Stress. Presented at the annual National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). La Crosse, WI, 2013.
Fernandez* W., Nathan B., and Menze M.A. Decline in mitochondrial respiration in post-ovariectomy mice is ameliorated by beta-estradiol treatment. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB). San Francisco, CA, 2013.
Samarajeewa D., Harder* A., Toner M., Chakraborty N., and Menze M.A. Intracellular ice nucleation protein reduces cryogenic injury in eukaryotic cells. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB). San Francisco, CA, 2013.
Camp* N., Martinez E., Phillips* C., Procerra A.,, Torres J., Colombo R., and Menze MA. Life in hot waters: live fast and die young. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB). San Francisco, CA, 2013.
Marunde M.*, Nguyen M.A., Hand S.C., and Menze M.A. Late Embryogenesis Abundant protein improves mitochondrial function under salt and water stress. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB). San Francisco, CA, 2013.
Erbacher* L, Fernandez* W, Menze MA, and Konkle M. Targeting Alzheimer's: discovering mitochondrial protein targets of oxidative stress. Presented at the annual meeting of Protein Society. San Diego, CA, 2012.
Camp N*. , Martinez E., Krick M*., Porreca N., Torres J., Colombo R., and Menze MA. Life in hot waters: live fast and die young. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society, St. Paul, MN, 2012
Harder* A., Samarajeewa D., Toner M., Chakraborty N., and Menze M.A. Intracellular ice nucleation protein reduces cryogenic injury in eukaryotic cells. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). Atlanta, GA, 2012.
Fernandez W*., Nathan B., and Menze MA. Effects of estrogen on mitochondrial function in ApoE-deficient mice. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB). Charleston, SC, 2012.
Harder* A., Toner M., Chakraborty N., and Menze M.A. Role of PsINP in cell preservation. Presented at the annual meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Science. Galesburg, IL, 2012.
Samarajeewa D.A., Thiruni A.*, Hand S.C., and Menze M.A. Life without water: intracellular expression of Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) protein increases dehydration tolerance of eukaryotic cells. Presented at the annual meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Science. Galesburg, IL, 2012.
Marunde M.*, Shumin S., Hand S.C., and Menze M.A. Do Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins preserve mitochondrial functions under water stress? Presented at the annual Honors Council of the Illinois Region (HCIR) Student Conference. Joliet, IL, 2012.
Fernandez W*., Elmuti L.*, and Menze MA. Mechanism of in vitro ß-estradiol bioenergetic effects in synaptic and non-synaptic mitochondria using an apoE deficient mouse model. Presented at the annual National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Ogden, UT, 2012.
Marunde M*., Shumin S., Hand S.C., and Menze M.A. Late embryogenesis abundant protein ameliorates inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Presented at the annual SICB meeting. Charleston, SC, 2012.
Anderson, J.M., Harder* A., Hand S.C., Chakraborty N., and Menze M.A. “Protective mechanisms against water stress evaluated in insect cells”. Presented at the annual SICB meeting. Charleston, SC, 2012.
*undergraduate student researcher
Funding & Grants
President's Fund for Research and Creative Activity (PFRCA) Award, Eastern Illinois University, "Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Type-2 Diabetes: Role of MitoNEET" (8/2013 – 07/2014; Mary Konkle, PI, Michael Menze, PI). Amount awarded: $19,850.
Council on Faculty Research Grant (CFR) Award, Eastern Illinois University, "Mitochondrial Dysfunctions in Type 2 Diabetes”” (7/2013-8/2013; Michael Menze, PI). To investigate the role of mitochondrial bioenergetics in the development of insulin insensitivity. Amount awarded: $4,500.
Interdisciplinary Research in the Sciences Grant (IRIS), Eastern Illinois University, "Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Type-2 Diabetes: Role of MitoNEET" (12/2012 – 06/2013; Mary Konkle, PI, Michael Menze, PI). Amount awarded: $5,000.
Redden Fund Grant Award (2012), Eastern Illinois University (Michael Menze, PI). Amount awarded: $750.
President’s Research Fund (PRF) Award, Eastern Illinois University "Role of Estrogen in Alzheimer’s Disease" (2012 - 2013; Michael Menze, PI, Britto Nathan, Co-PI). To investigate the role of the female sex hormone estrogen on mitochondrial bioenergetics. Amount awarded: $16,780.
Interdisciplinary Research in the Sciences Grant (IRIS), Eastern Illinois University, "Untangling Alzheimer’s Disease: Identifying Mitochondrial Protein Targets of Oxidative Stress" (12/2011 – 06/2012; Mary Konkle, PI, Michael Menze, PI, Britto Nathan, PI). Amount awarded: $4,000.
EIU subcontract for NSF grant "Mechanisms of Animal Desiccation Tolerance" (09/2011 - 09/2013; Steven Hand, PI, and Michael Menze, Co-PI; IOS-0920254). Amount awarded: $17,610.
Redden Fund Grant Award (2011), Eastern Illinois University (Michael Menze, PI). Amount awarded: $1,500.
Proposal Initiative Fund (PIF) Award, Eastern Illinois University, "Using Inquiry-based Learning Modules to Vertically Integrate Core Biological Concepts in the Biology Majors Curriculum" (08/2011-08/2012; Michael Menze, PI, Gary Bulla, PI, Robert Colombo, PI, Karen Gaines, PI, Kai Hung, PI, James Novak, PI). Amount awarded: $7,500.
Council on Faculty Research Grant (CFR) Award, Eastern Illinois University, "Sex and Power – the Role of Estrogen in Alzheimer’s Disease" (7/2011-8/2011; Michael Menze, PI, Britto Nathan, PI). To investigate the role of the female sex hormone estrogen on mitochondrial bioenergetics. Amount awarded: $4,500.
Early Research Support Grant Award (2010), Eastern Illinois University (Michael Menze, PI). Total Amount awarded: $378.
Council on Faculty Research grant (CFR), Eastern Illinois University, "Life without Water" (10/2010-10/2011; Michael Menze, PI). Total Amount awarded: $4,000. To investigate the role of trehalose transporters in stabilization of insect cells.
Community
Student Funding and Grants
A. Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (URSCA) Awards – EIU Honors College:
Ben Poznic (Fall, 2013). Taking the heat: The possible role of LEA proteins in preventing cell suicide in genetically-engineered human kidney cells ($500).
Nicolas Ferry (Summer, 2013). Type-2 diabetes: does mitoNEET impact mitochondria and catalase functions by multiple mechanisms? ($3000).
Blake Stokich (Summer, 2013). Improving long-term storage of mammalian cells ($3000).
William Fernandez (Fall, 2012). Role of Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer’s disease ($500).
Nathan Camp (Fall, 2012). Life in Hot Waters: Live Fast Die Young ($500).
Matthew Marunde (Summer, 2012). Lessons Learned from Nature: Can We Engineer Life without Water? ($3000).
Matthew Marunde (Spring 2011). Life without Water: Do Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins preserve mitochondrial functions? ($500).
William Fernandez and Lena Elmuti (Summer, 2011). Sex and Power: Does Estrogen Control Energy Production in Alzheimer's Disease? ($3000).
B. Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Grants ($250)
Kevin Stanely (Spring, 2013). Role of succinate dehydrogenase in Alzheimer’s disease.
Blake Stokich (Spring, 2013). Improving long-term storage of mammalian cells.
Austin Tofte (Fall, 2012). Impact of estrogen on mitochondrial bioenergetics.
Nicolas Ferry (Fall, 2012). Type-2 Diabetes: Functions of MitoNEET in the Mitochondrion.
Christopher Phillips (Fall, 2012). Impact of thermal effluent on blue gill in Lake Coffeen.
Mathew Marunde (Spring, 2012). Impact of group one LEA proteins on desiccation tolerance and bioenergetics of Kc167 cells.
Minh Ha Nguyen (Spring, 2012). Heat shock promoter controlled expression of a group 5 LEA protein.
Avril Harder (Spring, 2012). Does Intracellular Ice Nucleation Protein Reduces Cryogenic Injury in Insect Cells?
Jenna Slaughter (Spring, 2011). Impact of heat shock on Artemia franciscana embryos.
Mathew Marunde (Spring, 2011). Oxygen consumption of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster cell lines.
Thiruni Adikari (Spring, 2011). Impact of transgenic LEA protein expression on desiccation tolerance of Kc167 cells.
Mitchell Cronk (Spring, 2011). Assessing cell proliferation by alamarBlue assays.
C. Scholars in Undergraduate Research (SURE) Awards ($200)
Matthew Marunde (2013), William Fernandez (2013), Matthew Marunde (2012), William Fernandez (2012).
D. Graduate Student Investigator (GSI) Awards ($250)
Erick Hendricks (2013), Dilini Samarajeewa (2013), Dilini Samarajeewa (2012), John Anderson (2011).
E. Graduate School Research/Creative Activity Grants
Dilini Samarajeewa (2013): $400.
Erick Hendricks (2013): $800.
Dilini Samarajeewa (2012): $1000.
John Anderson (2012): $800.
John Anderson (2011): $1000.
F. Williams Travel Awards ($500)
Eric Hendricks (2013), Dilini Samarajeewa (2013), Jon Anderson (2012).
G. COS Undegraduate Travel Grant ($500)
William Fernandez (2013), Matthew Marunde (2013).
H. Student Awards and Honors
Distinguished Senior Award (2013) - William Fernandez.
Provost Research Assistantship (2013) - Erick Hendricks ($9,000).
Outstanding International Student Award (2013) - Dilini Samarajeewa.
Illinois State Academy of Sciences Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology Division Outstanding Presentation Award (2013) - Erick Hendricks ($125).
Annie Weller Scholarship (2013) - Alyssa Walser ($400).
Distinguished Graduate Student Award for the MSNS program (2013) - Alyssa Walser.
EIU Graduate School Distinguished Master Thesis Award (2013) - John Anderson ($500).
Illinois State Academy of Sciences Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology Division Outstanding Presentation Award (2011) - John Anderson ($250).
Research and Teaching Awards
College of Sciences Lida G. Wall Faculty Research Mentor and Teacher Award, Eastern Illinois University, 2013.College of Sciences Student Advisory Board Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, Eastern Illinois University, 2012.
Achievement and Contribution Award (ACA - Research), Eastern Illinois University, 2011.
Deans Award of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity, Eastern Illinois University, 2011.
Deans Award of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity, Eastern Illinois University, 2010.
