Ignatius Tan

My research interests focus on gap junctions which are involved in cell-to-cell communication. Regulating the chemical and physical properties of gap junctions are the different connexin proteins. Unique communication compartments can be formed when gap junctions are assembled from various connexins.

Presently, I am examining the implications of gap junctions on cell differentiation and development using the testis as a model. Organized in the seminiferous tubule and supported by Sertoli cells are some 63 different germ cell types. The germ cells are arranged and organized in the seminiferous epithelium for an ordered development and differentiation into spermatozoa. We are currently determining gap junction’s role in the formation of specific communication compartments and how gap junctions regulate and support specific spermatogenic cells. Gap junction assembly, connexin composition, and the chemical and physical properties of homotypic - heterotypic gap junctions will be examined biochemically and ultrastructurally.

Electron Microscope and Image Analysis Facility:

The facility has a confocal microscope and three electron microscopes: two TEM's and a SEM. Support equipment include ultramicrotomes, paraffin micotome, high vacuum evaporator, sputter coater, critical point dryer, and a low temperature UV chamber for immuno EM. The two modern EM’s are capable of high resolution imaging and capturing digital images. The SEM supports elemental image mapping/analysis and imaging of frozen samples.

Transmission Electron Microscopes:

Phillips E-300
Phillips CM-10. Scanning Electron Microscopes: AMRAY 1850-FE with secondary, Robinson backscatter, and EDX detectors and cryo-chamber

Confocal Microscope System:

Leica TCS SP2 confocal system for available inverted and upright microscopes.
Image analysis workstation.

Confocal Calendar website: labgear.bio.nyu.edu

Graduate Courses: 

• Scanning Electron Microscopic Techniques (G23-1029) 
  Electron Microscopic Techniques (G23-1033)

Undergraduate Courses: 

• Principles of Light and Electron Microscopy (V23-0033) 
• Introduction to Recombinant DNA Techniques (V23-0036) 
• Techniques in Cell Biology (V23-0037)

Lectures given in: 

• Principles in Biology (V23-0011)
• Cell Biology (G23-1051)

Ph.D. 1997 (Cell Biology), Fordham University

M.S. 1986 (Bioengineer), Polytechnic University

B.A. 1981 (Biology), University of St. Thomas

Affiliations:

• American Association for the Advancement of Science 
• Microscopy Society of America 
• American Society for Cell Biology

Date of these PubMed search results: March 24 2020
Get the current Pubmed search results

1. Intralesional Injection of OK-432 in Cystic Hygroma.
   Med J Malaysia (2016 Dec) PMID: 28087956
   Hazim M, Moses SS, Tan IP
2. Antiviral effects on bacteriophages and rotavirus by cranberry juice.
   Phytomedicine (2007 Jan) PMID: 17140784
   Lipson SM, Sethi L, Cohen P, Gordon RE, Tan IP, Burdowski A, Stotzky G
3. Gap junctions with varied permeability properties establish cell-type specific communication pathways in the rat seminiferous epithelium.
   Biol Reprod (2002 Sep) PMID: 12193406
   Risley MS, Tan IP, Farrell J
4. Regulated assembly of connexin33 and connexin43 into rat Sertoli cell gap junctions.
   Biol Reprod (1996 Jun) PMID: 8724358
   Tan IP, Roy C, Saez JC, Saez CG, Paul DL, Risley MS
5. Cell-, age- and stage-dependent distribution of connexin43 gap junctions in testes.
   J Cell Sci (1992 Sep) PMID: 1331136
   Risley MS, Tan IP, Roy C, Saez JC
6. Visualization of myosin exchange between synthetic thick filaments.
   J Muscle Res Cell Motil (1991 Jun) PMID: 1874964
   Saad AD, Dennis JE, Tan IP, Fischman DA