Janis  Eells, Ph.D. 

Associate Professor 

Interests and Expertise
Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases and in cellular aging. Research in my laboratory is directed at understanding mitochondrial signaling mechanisms involved in mediating cellular toxicity and protection. One component of my research program focuses on the molecular mechanisms of toxicity associated with the actions of environmental chemicals that act as mitochondrial poisons and disease states that produce mitochondrial dysfunction. My laboratory has developed a rodent model of acquired mitochondrial dysfunction that manifests many features of clinically relevant diseases of the retina and optic nerve. Using this animal model we have begun to define the relationships between mitochondrial toxicity and cellular dysfunction. A second project is directed at understanding the mechanisms by which low energy photon irradiation by light in the far red to near infrared spectral range (630-1000 nm) stimulates mitochondrial energy metabolism and promotes cell repair following injury.

Recent Publications
Eells, J.T., Henry, M.M., Summerfelt, P., Wong-Riley, M.T.T., Buchman, E.V., Kane, M. and Whelan, H.T.: Therapeutic photobiomodulation for methanol-induced retinal toxicity. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 100: 3439-3444, 2003. Seme, M.T.,


Summerfelt, P., Henry, M.M., Neitz, J., and Eells, J.T.: Differential recovery of retinal function following mitochondrial inhibition by methanol intoxication. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 42: 834-841, 2001.


Eells, J.T., Henry, M.M., Lewandowski, M.F. Seme, M.T., and Murray, T.G.: Development and characterization of a rodent model of methanol-induced retinal and optic nerve toxicity. Neurotoxicology 21: 321-330, 2000.


Eells, J.T., Henry, M.M., Gross, G.J, and Baker J.E.: Increased mitochondrial KATP channel activity during chronic myocardial hypoxia: Is cardioprotection mediated by improved bioenergetics. Circ Res. 87: 915-921, 2000.


Eells, J.T., Chairperson of the WHO Task Group - International Program on Chemical Safety Environmental Health Criteria. Volume 196: METHANOL. Published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation, and the World Health Organization, 1997.



Eells, J.T.: Methanol. Browning's Toxicity and Metabolism of Industrial Solvents, Vol IV: Alcohols and Esters, ed R.G. Thurman and F.C. Kaufmann, Elsevier Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, 1992.

Speaker Topics 
Environmental Toxicology
Pharmacology and Drugs of Abuse
Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ocular
Pharmacology, Molecular Toxicology and

Education
Ph.D., University of Iowa, Pharmacology and Toxicology, 1981
M.S., Idaho State University, Pharmacology/Microbiology, 1976
B.S., Idaho State University, Microbiology, 1973