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Dustin W. DuBois, PhD

Dustin W. DuBois
Dustin W. DuBois, PhD

Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, Pre-Clerkship

Instructional Assistant Professor

Contact

Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics
8447 Riverside Pkwy
2100 Medical Research and Education Building
Bryan, TX 77807-3260
dubois@tamu.edu
Phone: 979.436.0327
Fax: 979.436.0086

Education and Training

  • University of Texas at Austin, BA
  • Texas A&M University HSC, PhD
  • Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Postdoctoral Fellow
  • University of Wisconsin at Madison, Postdoctoral

Research Interests

  • My recent research interests have focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the interaction between a wide array of Neuropsychopharmacological agents and their respective receptors. My past research has focused on understanding the neuroteratogenic effects of ethanol on the GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmitter system the chronic effects of ethanol on excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems in brain areas regulating anxiety-like behaviors the effects of anesthetic agents on learning and memory mechanisms in the hippocampal region of the brain I have utilized numerous types of electrophysiology in slice and isolated cell and tissue culture preparations from different brain areas to investigate alterations in receptor pharmacology and function. I have also utilized various molecular biological approaches such as gel electrophoresis, western immunoblotting, and single-cell RT-PCR to understand the contribution of gene and protein expression to these topics. Currently my research interests are focused on understanding the rapid, non-genomic effects of estrogen and how they impact the aging brain using electrophysiology and optogenetic techniques.; My lab is also interested in understanding the impact of various pharmacological and environmental agents such as ethanol, benzodiazepines, pesticides, and chemical pollutants on central nervous system development. These agents can have significant, lasting negative effects on brain development that can lead to severe mental and cognitive defects.

Representative Publications

  • Hsiao, S-H., Acevedo, J.L.,DuBois, D.W., Smith, K.R., West, J.R., and Frye, G.D., Early postnatal ethanol intubation blunts GABAAreceptor up-regulation and modifies 3a-hydroxy-5a-pregnan-20-one sensitivity in rat MS/DB neurons, Dev. Brain Res., 130: 25-45, 2001. PMID: 11557091
  • Hsiao, S.-H.,DuBois, D.W., Miranda, R.C. and Frye, G.D., Critically-timed binge ethanol exposure blunts GABAAR function in septal neurons developing in vivo, but not in vitro, Brain Res., 1008: 69-80, 2004. PMID: 15081384
  • DuBois, D.W., Parrish, A.R., Trzeciakowski, J. and Frye, G.D., 'Binge' ethanol exposure delays development of GABAergic miniature postsynaptic currents in septal neurons, Dev. Brain Res., 152: 199-212, 2004. PMID: 15351508
  • DuBois, D.W., Trzeciakowski, J.P., Parrish, A.R., and Frye, G.D., GABAergic miniature postsynaptic currents in septal neurons show differential allosteric sensitivity after binge-like ethanol exposure, Brain Res., 1089: 101-115, 2006. PMID: 16630580
  • DuBois, D.W., Perlegas, A., Floyd, D.W., Weiner, J.L., McCool, B.A., Distinct functional characteristics of the lateral/basolateral amygdala GABAergic system in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, J Pharmacol Exp Ther., 318(2): 629-640, 2006.PMID: 16651400
  • Läck, A.K., Diaz, M.R., Chappell, A.,DuBois, D.W., McCool, B.A., Chronic ethanol and withdrawal differentially modulate pre- and postsynaptic function at glutamatergic synapses in rat basolateral amygdala, J Neurophysiol., 98(6): 3185-3196, 2007. PMID: 17898152
  • DuBois, D.W., Damborsky, J.C., Fincher, A.S., Frye, G.D., and Winzer-Serhan, U.H. Varenicline and nicotine enhance GABAergic synaptic transmission in rat CA1 hippocampal and medial septum / diagonal band neurons. Life Sciences, 92 (6-7): 337-344, 2013. PMID: 23352971
  • Wang, H., DuBois, D.W., Tobery, A.N., Griffith, W.H., Brandt, P., Frye, G.D. (2013) Long-lasting distortion of GABA signaling in MS/DB neurons after binge-like ethanol exposure during initial synaptogenesis, Brain Research, 1520: 36-50, 2013. PMID: 23685190
  • Griffith, W.H., DuBois, D.W., Fincher, A.S., Peebles, K.A., Bizon, J.L. and Murchison, D. Characterization of age-related changes in synaptic transmission onto F344 rat basal forebrain cholinergic neurons using a reduced synaptic preparation. J Neurophys., 111(2): 273-86, 2014. PMID: 24133226