Alan P Robertson

PhD
Associate Professor
Biomedical Sciences
515-294-1212
2058 Patterson Hall
ISU Directory Link
Education & Certifications  
  • PhD, Veterinary Medicine (Invertebrate Neuroscience), 1997, Edinburgh University, UK
  • BSc, Parasitology, 1991, University of Glasgow, UK
Teaching  
  • 2012-Present                       Associate Professor, Professor. Dept Biomedical Sciences, College of Vet Med. Iowa State University
  • 2010-2012                          Research Associate Professor. Dept Biomedical Sciences, College of Vet Med. Iowa State University
  • 2006-2009                          Affiliate assistant professor.  Dept Biomedical Sciences, College of Vet. Med. Iowa State University
  • 2001 -2006                         Adjunct assistant professor.  Dept Biomedical Sciences, College of Vet. Med. Iowa State University
  • 1999-2000                          Postdoctoral Fellow. Dept Preclinical Vet. Sciences, Edinburgh University, UK
  • 1997-1999                          Postdoctoral researcher. Dept Preclinical Vet. Sciences, Edinburgh University, UK
  • 1996-1997                          Research Associate. Dept Preclinical Vet. Sciences, Edinburgh University, UK
Research Focus & Interests  

Nematode ion channels as anti-parasitic drug targets. Electrophysiology of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels in nematode parasites and C. elegans. Identifying anti-nematodal modes of action and mechanisms of resistance to anthelmintics. Modulation of ionotropic acetylcholine receptors at the nematode neuromuscular junction. Characterization of novel ion channels and validation as potential drug targets.

Selected Publications  

Peer Reviewd: 20 selected publications out of over 60

Link to PubMed

  1. Abongwa M, Buxton SK, Robertson AP, Martin RJ. (2016) Curiouser and Curiouser: The Macrocyclic Lactone, Abamectin, Is also a Potent Inhibitor of Pyrantel/Tribendimidine Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors of Gastro-Intestinal Worms. PLoS One. Jan 11;11(1):e0146854. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146854. eCollection. PubMed PMID: 26751958; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4709073.

  2. McCoy CJ, Warnock ND, Atkinson LE, Atcheson E, Martin RJ, Robertson AP, Maule AG, Marks NJ, Mousley A. (2015) RNA interference in adult Ascaris suum--an opportunity for the development of a functional genomics platform that supports organism-, tissue- and cell-based biology in a nematode parasite. Int J Parasitol. Sep;45(11):673-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 Jul 4. PubMed PMID: 26149642; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4563943

  3. Martin RJ, Verma S, Choudhary S, Kashyap S, Abongwa M, Zheng F, Robertson AP. (2015) Anthelmintics: The best way to predict the future is to create it. Vet Parasitol. Aug 15;212(1-2):18-24. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.05.016. Epub 2015 Jun 20. PubMed PMID: 26138153; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4530025.

  4. Trailović SM, Marjanović DS, Nedeljković Trailović J, Robertson AP, Martin RJ. (2015) Interaction of carvacrol with the Ascaris suum nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, potential mechanism of antinematodal action. Parasitol Res. Aug;114(8):3059-68. doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4508-x. Epub 2015 May 7. PubMed PMID: 25944741; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4607277.

  5. Robertson AP, Puttachary S, Buxton SK, Martin RJ. (2015) Tribendimidine: mode of action and nAChR subtype selectivity in Ascaris and Oesophagostomum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. Feb 13;9(2):e0003495. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003495. eCollection 2015 Feb. PubMed PMID: 25679515; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4334517.

  6. Kotze AC, Hunt PW, Skuce P, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Martin RJ, Sager H, Krücken J, Hodgkinson J, Lespine A, Jex AR, Gilleard JS, Beech RN, Wolstenholme AJ, Demeler J, Robertson AP, Charvet CL, Neveu C, Kaminsky R, Rufener L, Alberich M, Menez C, Prichard RK. (2014) Recent advances in candidate-gene and whole-genome approaches to the discovery of anthelmintic resistance markers and the description of drug/receptor interactions. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist. Aug 13;4(3):164-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2014.07.007. eCollection 2014 Dec.Review. PubMed PMID: 25516826; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4266812.

  7. Buxton SK, Robertson AP, Martin RJ. (2014) Diethylcarbamazine increases activation of voltage-activated potassium (SLO-1) currents in Ascaris suum and potentiates effects of emodepside. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. Nov 20;8(11):e3276. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003276. eCollection 2014 Nov. PubMed PMID: 25411836; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4238981.

  8. MacDonald K, Buxton S, Kimber MJ, Day TA, Robertson AP, Ribeiro P. (2014) Functional characterization of a novel family of acetylcholine-gated chloride channels in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Pathog. Jun 12;10(6):e1004181. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004181. eCollection 2014 Jun. PubMed PMID: 24945827; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4055736.

  9. Chehayeb JF, Robertson AP, Martin RJ, Geary TG. (2014) Proteomic analysis of adult Ascaris suum fluid compartments and secretory products. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. Jun 5;8(6):e2939. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002939. eCollection  Jun. PubMed PMID: 24901219; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4046973.

  10. Martin RJ, Puttachary S, Buxton SK, Verma S, Robertson AP. (2015) The Conqueror Worm: recent advances with cholinergic anthelmintics and techniques excite research for better therapeutic drugs. J Helminthol. Jul;89(4):387-97. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X1400039X. Epub 2014 May 29. PubMed PMID: 24871674; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4247809.

  11. Buxton SK, Charvet CL, Neveu C, Cabaret J, Cortet J, Peineau N, Abongwa M, Courtot E, Robertson AP, Martin RJ. (2014) Investigation of acetylcholine receptor diversity in a nematode parasite leads to characterization of tribendimidine- and derquantel-sensitive nAChRs. PLoS Pathog. Jan 30;10(1):e1003870. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003870. eCollection 2014 Jan. PubMed PMID: 24497826; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3907359.

  12. Robertson AP, Buxton SK, Martin RJ. (2013 ) Whole-cell patch-clamp recording of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in adult Brugia malayi muscle. Parasitol Int. Dec;62(6):616-8. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.03.008. Epub 2013 Apr 3. PubMed PMID: 23562945; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3744629.

  13. Puttachary S, Trailovic SM, Robertson AP, Thompson DP, Woods DJ, Martin RJ. (2013) Derquantel and abamectin: effects and interactions on isolated tissues of Ascaris suum. Mol Biochem Parasitol. Apr;188(2):79-86. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.02.004. Epub 2013 Mar 21. PubMed PMID: 23523993; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3864555.

  14. Martin RJ, Robertson AP, Buxton SK, Beech RN, Charvet CL, Neveu C. (2012) Levamisole receptors: a second awakening. Trends Parasitol. Jul;28(7):289-96. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2012.04.003. Epub 2012 May 17. Review. PubMed PMID: 22607692; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3378725.

  15. Charvet CL, Robertson AP, Cabaret J, Martin RJ, Neveu C. (2012) Selective effect of the anthelmintic bephenium on Haemonchus contortus levamisole-sensitive acetylcholine receptors. Invert Neurosci. Jun;12(1):43-51. doi:10.1007/s10158-012-0130-0. Epub 2012 Apr 24. PubMed PMID: 22526556; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3362318.

  16. Martin RJ, Buxton SK, Neveu C, Charvet CL, Robertson AP. (2012) Emodepside and SL0-1 potassium channels: a review. Exp Parasitol. Sep;132(1):40-6. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.08.012. Epub 2011 Sep 3. Review. PubMed PMID: 21910990; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3262936.

  17. Carr JA, Parashar A, Gibson R, Robertson AP, Martin RJ, Pandey S. (2011) A microfluidic platform for high-sensitivity, real-time drug screening on C. elegans and parasitic nematodes. Lab Chip. Jul 21;11(14):2385-96. doi: 10.1039/c1lc20170k. Epub 2011 Jun 6. PubMed PMID: 21647497; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3645292.

  18. Robertson AP, Puttachary S, Martin RJ. (2011)Single-channel recording from adult Brugia malayi. Invert Neurosci. Jun;11(1):53-7. doi: 10.1007/s10158-011-0118-1. Epub 2011 May 18. PubMed PMID: 21590329.

  19. Buxton SK, Neveu C, Charvet CL, Robertson AP, Martin RJ. (2011) On the mode of action of emodepside: slow effects on membrane potential and voltage-activated currents in Ascaris suum. Br J Pharmacol. Sep;164(2b):453-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1476- 381.2011.01428.x. PubMed PMID: 21486286; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3188918.

  20. Martin RJ, Robertson AP (2010) Control of nematode parasites with agents acting on neuro-musculature systems: lessons for neuropeptide ligand discovery. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2010;692:138-54. Review. PubMed PMID: 21189677; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3732103.