Tracy L. Johnson
American biochemist and academic
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Through Chromatin, Translation (biology) and Biochemistry
Research
Johnson's first published study examined the effects of intravertebral disc using cell implantation within sand rats. The study focused on a combination of histology, tissue culture, and immunocytochemistry. Her team used this study to determine if these rats were a good model organism for future research to start developing real-world cell therapy interventions.
Later, Johnson's research focused on understanding gene regulation, chromatin modification, RNA splicing and how regulating splicing allows cells to respond to their environment. Specifically, her group studied the spliceosome, a macromolecular "machine" made of five subunits that interacts with a pre-messenger RNA to produce an edited version, leading to appropriate translation into proteins. Through her research, Johnson hopes to outline the functions of spliceosomes in RNA splicing in order to discover how mutations may lead to the development of certain illnesses. Utilizing molecular genetic technology, her group provided evidence that spliceosome assembly around a nascent mRNA transcript is regulated by histone modifications in the chromatin of the transcribed region. Johnson has also worked on identifying and developing the structure of tri-snRNPs, a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein found within spliceosomes. These snRNPs position mRNA components in the correct position for splicing. Her work allowed for the visualization of the specific regions of interest on the spliceosome that play key roles in the RNA splicing process. She presented this research to the RNA Society in 2016.
While her study of RNA splicing is ongoing, Johnson's 2020 study investigates the role of dopamine in regulating spinal reflexes (ANS), with a focus on how the autonomic nervous system influences this process. The study explores how the presence or absence of the ANS alters the responsiveness of spinal reflexes to dopamine.
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Career and education
Johnson earned her B.A. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California, San Diego and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She was a Jane Coffin Childs postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology studying the mechanisms of RNA splicing with Dr. John Abelson.
Johnson was a member of the University of California San Diego biological sciences faculty (2003-2013) where she earned many awards, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) and the UCSD Chancellor's Associates Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Johnson joined the faculty of the University of California, Los Angeles in 2013 as professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology and holder of the Keith and Cecilia Terasaki Presidential Endowed Chair. In 2014, Johnson was named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute professor which she held through 2014. Johnson was named associate dean for inclusive excellence in the division of life sciences in 2015. She was named Dean of the UCLA Division of Life Sciences in 2020.
Johnson has focused on developing programs to create transformative learning experiences for undergraduates including the UCLA-HHMI Pathways to Success Program. The program targets undergraduate students from marginalized groups with a comprehensive strategy to provide students with an authentic research experience early in their academic careers. The program has three key components: (1) A research-based laboratory course which goes by CURL (Collaborative Undergraduate Research Lab), (2) a mentoring network that integrates peer and hierarchical mentoring, and (3) intensive learning communities.
Honors and awards
- Member of RNA Society
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award (2022)
- Maria Rowena Ross Chair of Cell Biology and Biochemistry (2015)
- Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence, UCLA Life Sciences (2015)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Professor (2014)
- Chancellor's Associates Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2013)
- Top 20 Women Professors in California (2013)
- Jane Coffin Childs postdoctoral fellowship
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) (2006)