Fall 2008

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Ag Biochem Alum Fights Disease at Ucla

Carla Koehler researches the process by which proteins are imported into mitochondria. The information she uncovers may be used to fight disease and gain greater understanding of human aging.

Through her microscope, Carla Koehler is always zooming in for a closer look at cells in hopes of improving human health.

Koehler ('86 agricultural biochemistry, MS '89 biochemistry, PhD '95 biochemistry) specializes in research on how proteins are imported into mitochondria as an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of California at Los Angeles.

"Mitochondria are complex protein structures that produce most of a cell's energy and perform various other vital functions. All cells contain several hundred mitochondria," Koehler says. "We are trying to understand the process by which these powerhouses are constructed within cells, and also how this process sometimes malfunctions to cause disease."

The information she uncovers can be applied to general medical problems like heart disease and may be used to develop therapies for diseases such as Barth syndrome, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and cancer.

Koehler also hears from families with members who have a rare disease - deafness-dystonia syndrome - that is caused by a defect in mitochondrial assembly, which she specifically researches.

"This rare disease is difficult to diagnose and treat. Together with my clinical collaborator at the University of Denmark, we try to help these families. The protein import studies I started during my post-doctorate work in Switzerland identified the protein in yeast that showed the defect in mitochondria assembly which causes deafness-dystonia," Koehler says. "Due to this information, doctors are more aware of the disease. It has led to better diagnosis and better treatment for patients."

Having grown up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Koehler's early interest in animals led her to consider a career in veterinary medicine.

After completing her bachelor's at Iowa State in agricultural biochemistry, she spent a year working on a degree in veterinary medicine before discovering her true calling in fundamental research. She began to study biochemistry under the guidance of Don Beitz, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences in animal science and biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, and Alan Myers, professor of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology.

She earned several teaching excellence awards while working on her master's and Ph.D. Since joining the faculty at UCLA in 1999, Koehler has shared her expertise with undergraduates in the classroom.

"The excellent graduate training I received at Iowa State University laid the groundwork for me to develop my current research program," she says.

She conducts her research by studying other organisms that model mitochondrial function in human cells.

"Modeling processes in yeast allows us to investigate the biochemistry in great detail. We're also developing zebrafish as a new model system for mitochondrial diseases," Koehler says. "Working with fish isn't the easiest, but in terms of imaging and techniques, it is better. Using yeast, mice and zebrafish, we can examine mitochondrial diseases from the single molecule to the organism. We are currently using yeast to develop therapeutics and then will test their effectiveness in our animal models."

Koehler's research also may lead to greater understanding of human aging. "Mitochondria make energy for your cells and become less efficient as you age. So the eyes, ears, brain and heart, which have high energetic requirements, are all affected," she says.

Koehler says she enjoys pushing her science in new directions. She sees her work as one component to curing disease. "My research team wants to understand the molecular basis of mitochondrial diseases at a mechanistic level and then plug it into the big picture in human mitochondria," she says.

Outside the Laboratory

Carla Koehler can often be found on her bike training for local, national and international cycling competitions. She's the former champion of the U.S. Cycling Federation's Masters Team Pursuit and has mentored junior cyclists. She also teaches science to third-graders in an inner-city school. She's a mentor for young women interested in pursuing careers in science.