Dr. Bert Menco

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Northwestern University
Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences
Neurobiology & Phsyiology
Research Associate ProfessorAppointed: 1982
Professional Headshot of Bert Menco

Mailing Address

Department of Neurobiology and Physiology
Hogan Hall
2205 Tech Drive
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois 60208-3520
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (847) 864-7210 (h)
Fax: (847) 491-5211
Mobile: (773) 273-0140
bertmenco@northwestern.edu
http://depot.northwestern.edu/~bmenco

Qualifications

Ph.D., Agricultural University, Agricultural Sciences, 1977.
M.Sc., Agricultural University, Agricultural Sciences, 1972.
B.Sc., Agricultural University, Agricultural Sciences, 1968.

Expertise and Research Interests

Ultrastructural Analyses of Chemosensory Signal Transduction: The main objective our research is to investigate the subcellular sites where olfactory and gustatory (taste) chemosensory signal transduction takes place. Biochemistry, physiology, and light microscopy can give some indication of the location of chemosensory molecules, but fine-structural electron microscopy is essential to determine these locations precisely. Chemoreceptor cells have specialized hair-like structures, cilia or microvilli, which extend into nasal or oral cavities in olfactory and gustatory systems. These hair-like structures are the parts of the chemoreceptor cells that are exposed to the ambient external environment that contains the odor or taste stimuli. We investigate whether the morphological compartmentalizations parallel functional ones, thus whether key molecules involved in chemosensory signaling are especially contained in cilia in the case of the main olfactory system, and in microvilli in the case of vomeronasal olfactory and gustatory chemoreception.

Other Expertise

Edited several sets of special journal issues on the Chemical Senses:
32 articles for six special issues (2004/2005, Volumes 33 and 34): "The Chemical Senses, Olfaction and Taste: A Tribute to Al Farbman" (with Drs. Enrico Mugnaini (Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL) and Martin Witt (Department of Otolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany). Linked to Homepage Dept. of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University)
(http://www.springerlink.com/content/q475785335m0/?p=7da6b2a7a0c645968ed7fc38cb404814&pi=3
http://www.springerlink.com/content/w3r79690p335/?p=7da6b2a7a0c645968ed7fc38cb404814&pi=2
http://www.springerlink.com/content/q3x642v65r89/?p=7da6b2a7a0c645968ed7fc38cb404814&pi=1)

Microscopy Research and Technique: Compiled 23 articles for four special issues (1992, Volumes 22 and 23) on olfactory structures in invertebrates and vertebrates: "Electron Microscopy of Olfactory Tissues: Peripheral Aspects, Parts I-IV".
(http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jissue/109897338
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jissue/109897348
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jtoc/109891912
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jissue/109897370)

Avocational expertise:
Exhibiting, gallery represented, artist. Listed in Art in America's artist indices
Participated in many benefit projects for, e.g., arts related causes, AIDS, and the homeless

Website: http://www.bertmenco.com

Future Research

We specifically pinpoint the location of molecules of olfactory signal-modulation and -termination in main and vomeronasal (VNO) olfactory receptor cell cilia, respectively, microvilli and also of signal-onset in VNO sensory cell microvilli. We hope to eventually obtain precise insights in the molecular topography of the signaling domains.

Industrial Relevance

The studies can be used, long term, for diagnostic purposes, and also perhaps give more insight in artificial chemosensory systems.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Agriculture, Biochemistry, Electron Microscopy, Human Physiology, Microscopy, Neurobiology, Neurophysiology, Olfaction Or Smell, Physiology, Psychology, Sensory Physiology, Signal Transduction, Taste or Gustatory System, Visual Arts.

Additional Terms:

Immunocytochemistry, Ultrastructure.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

Dutch: (Fluent, Fluent, Fluent)
English: (Fluent, Fluent, Fluent)
German: (Fluent, Functional, Functional)
French: (Functional, Basic, Functional)
Hebrew: (Functional, Basic, Functional)

Memberships

Association for Chemoreception Sciences
European Chemoreception Organization

Honors and Awards

1991, Finalist: Science for Art Prize, Moët-Hennessy-Louis Vuitton, France, Chemosensory Research
1990, Takasago Award, European Chemoreception Organization, Japan, Olfactory Research
1988, Fellowship, Erna and Victor Hasselblad Foundation, Sweden, Imaging studies

Previous Positions

1982, Northeastern University, Neurobiology & Phsyiology
1982, Research Associate Professor, Northwestern University, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, Neurobiology & Phsyiology
1982-2006, Research Associate Professor, Northwestern University, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Neurobiology and Physiology
1981-1982, Research Associate, Universität Essen, Klinikum, Anatomy
1975-1982, Senior Research Associate, State University Utrecht, Psychological Laboratory, Psychology
1972-1975, Research Associate, University of Warwick, Molecular Sciences (Now Chemistry)

Funding Received

  • National Science Foundation: Cryo-Cytochemistry on Olfactory Epithelial Surfaces, Nov 1, 1988 to Oct 31, 1992.
  • National Institutes of Health: Ultrastructural Analysis of Olfactory Signal-Transduction, Jan 1, 1995 to Dec 31, 1999.
  • National Science Foundation: The Development of Olfactory Transduction; Cytochemistry, Jan 1, 1992 to Dec 31, 1995.
  • National Institutes of Health: Membrane Domains of Olfactory Cilia; Cryo-Cytochemistry, Dec 1, 1984 to Feb 29, 1988.
  • National Science Foundation (NSF): Ultrastructural Analyses of Chemosensory Signal-Transduction, Aug 1, 2001 to 2006.

Publications

  • Lodewyck D, Menco BPhM, Fisher K (2007) Immunolocalization of aquaporins in vocal fold epithelia, Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, 133, 557-563
  • Menco BPhM (2005) The fine-structural distribution of G-protein receptor kinase 3, beta-arrestin-2, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and phosphodiesterase PDE1C2, and a Cl- -cotransporter in rodent olfactory epithelia, Journal of Neurocytology, 34 (1/2), 11-36
  • Koo JH, Gill S, Pannell LK, Menco BPhM, Margolis JW, Margolis FL (2004) The interaction of Bex and OMP reveals a dimer of OMP with a short half-life, Journal of Neurochemistry, 90 (1), 102-16 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Mugnaini E, Witt M (2004) The chemical senses, olfaction and taste: A tribute to Al Farbman. (Introduction to three special issues), Journal of Neurocytology, 33 (6), 575-78
  • Ruberti JW, Curcio CA, Millican CL, Menco BPhM, Huang JD, Johnson M (2003) Quick-freeze/deep-etch visualization of age-related lipid accumulation in Bruch's membrane, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 44 (4), 1753-9 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Morrison EE (2003) Morphology of the mammalian olfactory epithelium: Form, fine structure, function, and pathology, In: Ed. Doty RL. Handbook of Olfaction and Gustation, 2nd Edition, Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 17-49 pages (bookchapter)
  • Menco BPhM, Carr VMcM, Ezeh PI, Liman ER, Yankova MP (2001) Ultrastructural localization of G-proteins and the channel protein TRP2 to microvilli of rat vomeronasal receptor cells, The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 438 (4), 468-89 Abstract
  • Carr VMcM, Menco BPhM, Yankova MP, Morimoto RI, Farbman AI (2001) Odorants as cell-type specific activators of a heat shock response in the rat olfactory mucosa, The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 432 (4), 425-39 Abstract
  • Matsuzaki O, Bakin RE, Cai X, Menco BPhM, Ronnett GV (1999) Localization of the olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit 1 in normal, embryonic and regenerating olfactory epithelium, Neuroscience, 94 (1), 131-40 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Birrell GB, Fuller CM, Ezeh PI, Keeton DA, Benos DJ (1998) Ultrastructural localization of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels and Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the rat's olfactory epithelial surface, Chemical Senses, 23 (2), 137-49 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Jackson JE (1997) Neuron-like cells on the apical surface of the developing rat olfactory epithelium, Neuroscience Letters, 239 (2/3), 117-20 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Jackson JE (1997) Cells resembling hair cells in developing rat olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelia, Tissue & Cell, 29 (6), 707-13 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Jackson JE (1997) A banded topography in the developing rat's olfactory epithelial surface, The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 388 (2), 293-306 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Cunningham AM, Qasba P, Levy N, Reed RR (1997) Putative odour receptors localize in cilia of olfactory receptor cells in rat and mouse: a freeze-substitution ultrastructural study, Journal of Neurocytology, 26 (10), 691-706 Abstract
  • Pixley SK, Farbman AI, Menco BPhM (1997) Monoclonal antibody marker for olfactory sustentacular cell microvilli, The Anatomical Record, 248 (3), 307-21 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1997) Ultrastructural aspects of olfactory signaling, Chemical Senses, 22 (3), 295-311 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Yankova MP, Simon SA (1997) Freeze-substitution and post-embedding immunocytochemistry on rat taste-buds: G-proteins, calcitonin-gene related peptide, and choline acetyl transferase, Microscopy and Microanalysis, 3 (1), 53-69
  • DellaCorte C, Restrepo D, Menco BPhM, Andreini I, Kalinoski DL (1996) G alpha 9/G alpha 11: immunolocalization in the olfactory epithelium of the rat (Rattus rattus) and the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), Neuroscience, 74 (1), 261-73 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1995) Freeze-fracture, deep-etch, and freeze-substitution studies of olfactory epithelia, with special emphasis on immunocytochemical variables, Microscopy Research and Technique, 32 (4), 337-56 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1995) Scanning- and transmission electron microscopy of olfaction, In: Eds. Apfelbach R, Mueller-Schwarze D, Weiler E, Reutter K. Chemical Signals in Vertebrates VII, Advances in the Biosciences, 93, Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, Oxford, 115-25 pages (bookchapter)
  • Menco BPhM (1995) Ultrastructural analyses of vertebrate olfactory signal-transduction, In: Eds. Spielman AI, Brand JG. Experimental Cell Biology of Taste and Olfaction. Current Techniques and Protocols, CRC Press Inc, Boca Raton, 65-75 pages (bookchapter)
  • Menco BPhM, Tekula FD, Farbman AI, Danho W (1994) Developmental expression of G-proteins and adenylyl cyclase in peripheral olfactory systems. Light microscopic and freeze-substitution electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, Journal of Neurocytology, 23 (11), 708-27 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1994) Ultrastructural aspects of olfactory transduction and perireceptor events, Seminars in Cell Biology, 5 (1), 11-24 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Hellekant G (1993) Ultrastructural evidence for a binding substance to the sweet-tasting protein thaumatin inside taste bud pores of rhesus monkey foliate papillae, Microscopy Research and Technique, 26 (2), 133-41 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Farbman AI (1992) Ultrastructural evidence for multiple mucous domains in frog olfactory epithelium, Cell and Tissue Research, 270 (1), 47-56 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1992) Lectins bind differentially to cilia and microvilli of major and minor cell populations in olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelia, Microscopy Research and Technique, 23 (2), 181-99 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1992) Ultrastructural studies on membrane, cytoskeletal, mucous, and protective compartments in olfaction, Microscopy Research and Technique, 22 (3), 215-24 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Bruch RC, Dau B, Danho W (1992) Ultrastructural localization of olfactory transduction components: the G protein subunit Golf alpha and type III adenylyl cyclase, Neuron, 8 (3), 441-53 Abstract
  • Snyder DA, Rivers AM, Yokoe H, Menco BPhM, Anholt RR (1991) Olfactomedin: purification, characterization, and localization of a novel olfactory glycoprotein, Biochemistry, 30 (38), 9143-53 Abstract
  • MacDonald RC, MacDonald RI, Menco BPhM, Takeshita K, Subbarao NK, Hu LR (1991) Small-volume extrusion apparatus for preparation of large, unilamellar vesicles, Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta, 1061 (2), 297-303 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1989) Olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelia, and foliate taste buds visualized with rapid-freeze freeze-substitution and Lowicryl K11M embedding. Ultrastructural and initial cytochemical studies, Scanning Microscopy, 3 (1), 257-72 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1989) Electron-microscopic demonstration of olfactory-marker protein with protein G-gold in freeze-substituted, Lowicryl K11M-embedded rat olfactory-receptor cells, Cell and Tissue Research, 256 (2), 275-81 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1988) Pre-natal development of rat nasal epithelia. V. Freeze-fracturing on necklaces of primary and secondary cilia of olfactory and respiratory epithelial cells, Anatomy and Embryology, 178 (5), 381-8 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1988) Pre-natal development of rat nasal epithelia. IV. Freeze-fracturing on apices, microvilli and primary and secondary cilia of olfactory and respiratory epithelial cells, and on olfactory axons, Anatomy and Embryology, 178 (4), 309-26 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1988) Tight-junctional strands first appear in regions where three cells meet in differentiating olfactory epithelium: a freeze-fracture study, Journal of Cell Science, 89 (4), 495-505 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Minner EW, Farbman AI (1988) Preliminary observations on rapidly-frozen, freeze-fractured and deep-etched rat olfactory cilia rotary-replicated with tantalum/tungsten, Journal of Electron Microscopy Technique, 8 (4), 441-2 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Farbman AI (1987) Genesis of cilia and microvilli of rat nasal epithelia during prenatal development. III. Respiratory epithelium surface, including a comparison with the surface of the olfactory epithelium, Journal of Anatomy, 152, 145-60 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1986) A survey of ultra-rapid cryo-fixation methods with particular emphasis on freeze-fracturing, -etching and -substitution, Journal of Electron Microscope Technique, 4, 177-240
  • Farbman AI, Menco BPhM (1986) Development of olfactory epithelium in the rat, In: Ed. Breipohl W. Ontogeny of Olfaction, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 45-56 pages (bookchapter)
  • Chuah MI, Farbman AI, Menco BPhM (1985) Influence of olfactory bulb on dendritic knob density of rat olfactory receptor neurons in vitro, Brain Research, 338 (2), 259-66 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Farbman AI (1985) Genesis of cilia and microvilli of rat nasal epithelia during pre-natal development. II. Olfactory epithelium, a morphometric analysis, Journal of Cell Science, 78, 311-36 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Farbman AI (1985) Genesis of cilia and microvilli of rat nasal epithelia during pre-natal development. I. Olfactory epithelium, qualitative studies, Journal of Cell Science, 78, 283-310 Abstract
  • Van As W, Kauer JS, Menco BPhM, Köster EP (1985) Quantitative aspects of the electro-olfactogram in the tiger salamander, Chemical Senses, 10 (1), 1-21
  • Lidow MS, Menco BPhM (1984) Observations on axonemes and membranes of olfactory and respiratory cilia in frogs and rats using tannic acid-supplemented fixation and photographic rotation, Journal of Ultrastructure Research, 86 (1), 18-30 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1984) Ciliated and microvillous structures of rat olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelia. A study using ultra-rapid cryo-fixation followed by freeze-substitution or freeze-etching, Cell and Tissue Research, 235 (2), 225-41 Abstract
  • Van der Wolk FM, Menco BPhM, Van der Starre H (1984) Freeze-fracture characteristics of insect gustatory and olfactory sensilla. II. Cuticular features, Journal of Morphology, 179, 305-21
  • Menco BPhM (1983) The ultrastructure of olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelium surfaces, In: Eds. Reznik G, Stinson SF. Nasal Tumors in Animals and Man, Anatomy, Physiology and Epidemiology, CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 45-102 pages (bookchapter)
  • Menco BPhM, Van der Wolk FM (1982) Freeze-fracture characteristics of insect gustatory and olfactory sensilla. I. A comparison with vertebrate olfactory receptor cells with special reference to ciliary components, Cell and Tissue Research, 223 (1), 1-27 Abstract
  • Punter PH, Menco BPhM, Boelens H (1981) The efficacy of n-aliphatic alcohols and n-aliphatic fatty acids on various membrane systems with special reference to olfaction and taste, In: Eds. Moskowitz HR, Warren GB. Odor Quality and Chemical Structure, ACS Symposium Series, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 93-108 pages (bookchapter)
  • Senf W, Menco BPhM, Punter PH, Duyvesteyn P (1980) Determination of odour affinities based on the dose-response relationships of the frog's electro-olfactogram, Experientia, 36 (2), 213-5 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1980) Qualitative and quantitative freeze-fracture studies on olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelial surfaces of frog, ox, rat, and dog. IV. Ciliogenesis and ciliary necklaces (Including high-voltage observations), Cell and Tissue Research, 212, 1-16
  • Menco BPhM (1980) Qualitative and quantitative freeze-fracture studies on olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelial surfaces of frog, ox, rat, and dog. III. Tight-junctions, Cell and Tissue Research, 211 (3), 361-73 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1980) Qualitative and quantitative freeze-fracture studies on olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelial surfaces of frog, ox, rat, and dog. II. Cell apices, cilia, and microvilli, Cell and Tissue Research, 211 (1), 5-29 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM (1980) Qualitative and quantitative freeze-fracture studies on olfactory and nasal respiratory structures of frog, ox, rat, and dog. I. A general survey, Cell and Tissue Research, 207 (2), 183-209 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Leunissen JLM, Bannister LH, Dodd GH (1978) Bovine olfactory and nasal respiratory epithelium surfaces. High-voltage and scanning electron microscopy, and cryo-ultramicrotomy, Cell and Tissue Research, 193 (3), 503-24 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Dodd GH, Davey M, Bannister LH (1976) Presence of membrane particles in freeze-etched bovine olfactory cilia, Nature, 263 (5578), 597-9 Abstract
  • Menco BPhM, Schoonhoven LM, Visser J (1974) Qualitative and quantitative analyses of electrophysiological responses of an insect taste receptor, Proceedings Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen, Series C, 77, 157-70
  • Applebaum SW, Konijn AM, Menco BPhM (1971) Growth and biochemical adaptation of larvae of the beetle Dermestes maculatus to carbohydrate-free diets, Insect Biochemistry, 1, 1-13

Profile Details

Last Updated: 8/3/2007

COS Expertise ID #150533
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