Dr. April K. Binder, Associate Professor

Biological Sciences Dept. 
Science Building, 236J
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA. 98926
Phone: (509) 963-2803
bindera@cwu.edu

Education

Ph.D.  Washington State University (Biochemistry/Molecular Biosciences), 2009
B.A.  University of Redlands (Biology), 2003

Teaching                                  

General Biology II, Developmental Biology, Human Physiology, and Molecular Biotechnology

Research

Reproductive biology focused on hormonal control of ovarian function and development

My research is focused on understanding female reproductive biology and hormonal imbalances that may lead to ovarian dysfunction and infertility.  My laboratory uses molecular techniques to examine gene regulation and transcriptional changes that occur downstream of estrogen receptor signaling and other hormone mediated events in ovarian cells.  We also utilize a mouse model of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) to examine the effects of excess androgen on both ovarian and metabolic functions to gain insight into possible causes of female infertility. 

In the lab we utilize both in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (mouse model) techniques to gain understanding of ovarian function in response to steroid hormone signaling such as estrogen and androgen receptors.

Selected Publications

Binder AK, Kosak J, Janhardhan KS, Moser G, Eling T and Korach KS. Expression of Human NSAID Activated Gene 1 in Mice Leads to Altered Mammary Gland Differentiation and Impaired Lactation.  PLoS ONE. 2016: 11(1): e0146518.

Wardell JR, Hodgkinson KM, Binder AK, Seymour KA, Korach KS, Vanderhyden BC, and Freiman RN.  Estrogen-Responsiveness of the TFIID Subunit TAF4B in the Normal Mouse Ovary and in Ovarian Tumors.  Biology of Reproduction 2013; 89(5): 116, 1-9.

Binder AK*, Rodriguez KF*, Stockton PS, Hamilton KJ, Reed CE, and Korach KS.  The absence of ERβ results in altered gene expression in ovarian granulosa cells from in vivo preovulatory follicles.  Endocrinology.  2013; 154(6): 2174-78.

Binder AK, Grammer JC, Herndon, MK, Stanton JD and Nilson JH.  GnRH Regulation of Jun and Atf3 Requires Calcium, Calcineurin, and NFAT.  Molecular Endocrinology 2012; 26(5): 873-886.

Salisbury TB*, Binder AK*, Grammer JC, and Nilson JH.  GnRH-Regulated Expression of Jun and JUN Target Genes in Gonadotropes Requires a Functional Interaction between TCF/LEF Family Members and β-catenin.  Molecular Endocrinology 2009; 23(3): 402-411.

Salisbury TB*, Binder AK*, Grammer JC, and Nilson JH.  Welcoming β-catenin to the Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Transcriptional Network in Gonadotropes.  Molecular Endocrinology 2008; 22(6): 1295-1303.

Salisbury TB, Binder AK, Grammer JC, and Nilson JH.  Maximal Activity of the Luteinizing Hormone β-subunit Gene Requires β-Catenin.  Molecular Endocrinology 2007; 21: 963-971.

* Authors contributed equally in the authorship and should be listed as co-first authors.