David Mckean Education: University of California-San Diego, B.S. Molecular Biology 1993; Case Western Reserve University, M.S. Biochemical Research 2000 Email: david.mckean@uchsc.edu Laboratory phone: 303-724-0297 Thesis Advisor: Lee Niswander

Research Interests:
Lee’s lab employs a forward genetic screen in mice to identify genes that are involved in embryonic development.  Specifically, I am interesting in identifying mutant genes that contribute to incomplete neural tube closure, facial clefting, and polydactyly phenotypes.  After identifying the genes of interest, things will get really interesting when I determine their function.

General Interests:
Other than spending quality time with my wife Holly, and son Jack, I enjoy skiing, woodworking, camping, and fixing up my 100 year old house.  Jack tells me that he can’t wait to get bigger so he can ‘play’ with sharp tools…I can’t wait either.

Publications:

Ihida-Stansbury K, McKean DM, Gebb SA, Martin JF, Stevens T, Nemenoff R, Akeson A, Vaughn J, Jones PL.  Paired-related homeobox gene Prx1 is required for pulmonary vascular development.  Circ Res. 2004 Jun 11;94(11):1507-14.

McKean DM, Sisbarro L, Ilic D, Kaplan-Alburquerque N, Nemenoff R, Weiser-Evans M, Kern MJ, Jones PL.  FAK induces expression of Prx1 to promote tenascin-C-dependent fibroblast migration.  J. Cell Biol. 2003 Apr 28;161(2):393-402.

Pal M, McKean D, Luse DS.  Promoter clearance by RNA polymerase II is an extended, multistep process strongly affected by sequence.  Mol Cell Biol. 2001 Sep;21(17):5815-25.

McKean DM.  Mechanics of RNA polymerase II promoter clearance and elongation.  Master’s thesis (2000)

Bumbulis MJ, Wroblewski G, McKean D, Setzer DR.  Genetic analysis of Xenopus transcription factor IIIA.  J Mol Biol. 1998 Dec 18;284(5):1307-22.

Latest Publications in PubMed