Laura Bridgewater

Teaching Interests

Molecular Biology

Research Interests

One major focus of research in the Bridgewater Lab is the novel nuclear variant of BMP2, which we discovered in 2010 and named nBMP2. BMP2 has previously been recognized as a secreted growth factor that participates in bone and cartilage formation, limb formation, patterning, heart development, and apoptosis. We have discovered another form of BMP2 that is translated from the same mRNA transcript but from an alternative downstream start codon, which eliminates the signal peptide and thus prevents trafficking through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. Instead, translation occurs in the cytoplasm and a nuclear localization signal directs translocation to the nucleus. We have generated a “knock-in” mouse line in which nuclear translocation of nBMP2 is blocked while secreted BMP2 is produced normally. We have discovered that nBMP2 affects skeletal muscle contractions, learning and memory, and immune response. Ongoing work is focused on identifying specific mechanisms by which loss of nBMP2 interferes with immune function.

Our second area of emphasis is the gut microbiota and its effects on obesity, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression. We have recently published evidence suggesting that stress can alter the composition of the gut microbiota in females much the same way a high fat diet does. We are testing the hypothesis that phages (viruses that target bacteria) can be used therapeutically to inhibit the growth of obesity-causing bacteria in the gut.

Administrative Positions

Associate Dean

Memberships

International Society for Microbial Ecology, 2014-Present
American Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, 2013-2014

Honors & Awards

BYU Gerontology Program : Featured Speaker, 26th Annual Russell B. Clark Gerontology Conference
BYU Office of Graduate Studies : BYU New Graduate Student Dinner, Keynote Speaker

Courses Taught

Winter 2019

MMBIO 494R: Advanced Mentored Research Section 003

Fall 2018

MMBIO 494R: Advanced Mentored Research Section 003
MMBIO 699R: Master's Thesis Section 003

Summer 2018

MMBIO 494R: Mentored Research Section 003

Spring 2018

MMBIO 494R: Mentored Research Section 003

Publications

Journal Articles

Weber KS, Bridgewater LC, Jensen JL, Breakwell DP, Nielsen B, Johnson SM. 2018. Personal microbiome analysis improves student engagement and interest in Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Genomics undergraduate courses. PLoS One. 13(4):20 pages.

Bridgewater LC, Zhang C, Wu Y, Hu W, Zhang Q, Wang J, Li S, Zhao L. 2017. Gender-based differences in host behavior and gut microbiota composition in response to high fat diet and stress in a mouse model. Scientific Reports. 7:10776.

Cordner RD, Friend LN, Mayo JL, Badgley C, Wallman A, Stallings CN, Young PL, Miles DR, Edwards JG, Bridgewater LC. 2017. The BMP2 nuclear variant, nBMP2, is expressed in mouse hippocampus and impacts memory. Scientific Reports. 7:46464.

Rose BJ, Seegmiller RE, Bridgewater LC, Kooyman DL. 2016. Collagen Mutant Mouse Models Provide an Important Tool to Study Osteoarthritis. Journal of Arthritis. 5(5).

Beatty A, Bowden AE, Bridgewater LC. 2016. Functional validation of a complex loading whole spinal segment bioreactor design. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. 138(6):064501.

Stolworthy DK, Fullwood RA, Merrell TM, Bridgewater LC, Bowden AE. 2014. Biomechanical comparison of the camelid and human intervertebral disc. Journal of Orthopaedic Translation. 3(1):34-43.

Bridgewater LC, Mayo JL, Evanson BG, Whitt ME, Dean SA, Yates JD, Holden DN, Schmidt AD, Fox CL, Dhunghel S, et al. 2013. A novel bone morphogenetic protein 2 mutant mouse, nBmp2NLStm, displays impaired intracellular Ca2+ handling in skeletal muscle. BioMed Research International. 2013.

Ricks ML, Farrell JT, Falk DJ, Holt DW, Rees M, Carr J, Williams T, Nichols BA, Bridgewater LC, Reynolds PR, et al. 2013. Osteoarthritis in Temporomandibular Joint of Col2a1 Mutant Mice. Archives of Oral Biology. 58(9):1092-9.

Holt DW, Henderson ML, Stockdale CE, Ferrell JT, Kooyman DL, Bridgewater LC, Seegmiller RE. 2012. Osteoarthritis-like changes in the heterozygous sedc mouse associated with the HtrA1-Ddr2-Mmp-13 degradative pathway: a new model of osteoarthritis. Ostoeoarthritis and Cartilage. 20:430-439.

Holt DW, Henderson ML, Stockdale CE, Farrell JT, Kooyman DL, Bridgewater LC, Seegmiller RE. 2012. Osteoarthritis-like changes in the heterozygous sedc mouse associated with the HtrA1-Ddr2-Mmp-13 degradative pathway: A new model of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 20:430-439.

Felin JE, Mayo JL, Loos TJ, Jensen JD, Sperry DK, Gaufin SL, Meinhart CA, Moss JB, Bridgewater LC. 2010. Nuclear variants of bone morphogenetic proteins. BMC Cell Biology. 11:20.

Mayo JL, Holden DN, Barrow JR, Bridgewater LC. 2009. The transcription factor Lc-Maf participates in Col27a1 regulation during chondrocyte maturation. Experimental Cell Research. 315:2293-2300.

Abstract

Olsen DS, Bailey KT, Nichols BA, Bridgewater LC. 2013. Lack of nuclear BMP-2 causes reduced spleen size. FASEB J. 27:601.12.

Nichols BA, Goar WA, McCune BT, Bridgewater LC. 2013. Nuclear localized BMP2 promotes cell cycle progression. FASEB J. 27:1029.1

Kooyman DL, Ricks ML, Falk DJ, Farrell J, Rees MB, Carr JM, Williams DT, Bridgewater LC, Seegmiller RE. 2012. Premature osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joint of heterozygous disproportionate micromelia mice. Experimental Biology. 26:LB 115.

Presentations

Franson J, White J, Ong KL, Choksi N, Hilton A, Rees A, Resolme J, Zhao J, Sevey R, Olsen K, et al. Effect of Diet, Genes, and Microbiota on Glucose Tolerance in a Mouse Model with a Genetically Increased Metabolic Rate. LDS Life Science Research Symposium. Lehi, Utah. 2016.

Franson J, Sevey R, Zhao J, White J, Hilton A, Rees A, Ong KL, Choksi N, Grose JH, Bridgewater LC. Effect of Diet on the Microbiota of a Mouse Model with a Genetically Increased Metabolism Rate. American Society of Microbiology Intermountain Branch Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah. 2016.

Zhao J, Grossarth S, Grose JH, Bridgewater LC. Phage hunting through the human gut. Phage Phield Day. Provo, Utah. 2016.

White J, Franson J, Rees A, Hilton A, Ong KL, Choksi N, Resolme J, Zhao J, Grose JH, Bridgewater LC. PAS kinase and its role in the development of diabetes and obesity in mice. Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research. Salt Lake City, Utah. 2016.

Yates JD, Bridgewater LC. Evidence for a nuclear variant of decapentaplegic (dpp). Southwest Regional Meeting of the Society for Developmental Biology. Aurora, Colorado. 2014.

Mayo JL, Nichols BA, Olsen DS, Cordner RD, Hancock CR, Weber KS, Wilson E, Edwards JG, Barrow JR, Bridgewater LC. The nBMP2 mutant mouse shows defects in intracellular calcium transport-regulated pathways. Southwest Regional Meeting of the Society for Developmental Biology. Aurora, Colorado. 2014.

Bridgewater LC, Christensen L, Stolworthy DK, Fullwood RA, Merrell TM, Holland JG, Harmon LM, Robinson TF, Bowden AE. Development of an alpaca disc culture system for the study of intervertebral disc degeneration. Second International Spine Research Symposium. Philadelphia, PA. 2013.

Fullwood RA, Stolworthy DK, Bowden AE, Bridgewater LC. Alpaca cervical spine anatomy: Shape, size, AF/NP ratio. Emerging Ideas in Biomedical Research Conference. Provo, Utah. 2013.

Olsen DS, Bailey KT, Nichols BA, Bridgewater LC. Lack of nuclear BMP-2 causes reduced spleen size. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Boston, MA. 2013.

Rogers AC, Nichols BA, Loos TJ, Bridgewater LC. Nuclear Bmp4 interacts with the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and inhibits the cell cycle. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting. San Diego, California. 2012.

Ricks M, Falk DJ, Farrell JT, Rees MB, Carr JM, Williams DT, Kooyman DL, Bridgewater LC, Seegmiller RE. Premature osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joint of heterozygous disproportionate micromelia mice. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting. San Diego, California. 2012.