Kenneth L Kramer is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Medical Education as well as the M1 Component Director. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in Anatomy and Cell Biology, he did postdoctoral work at the University of Utah and was an investigator at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. His main area of research is in developmental glycobiology, and he works with numerous undergraduates and several labs at Creighton in focusing on ear and brain development in zebrafish. Ken has a passion for medical education, seeking innovative approaches to teaching anatomy and histology. In addition to being active in the American Association of Anatomists for many years, he enjoys outreach programs to area budding scientists through BioEYES Omaha and the Nebraska Science Festival.
Research Focus
The vertebrate inner ear relies on specialized bundles of cilia on the apical surface of sensory hair cells to transduce sound and movement into electrical signals. The Kramer Lab uses the transparency of the early zebrafish embryo to visualize how ciliary linkages to extracellular structures regulate inner ear function. Using modern genetic and imaging tools, we collaborate with several labs across campus to determine how zebrafish mutants and drug treatments affect hearing and balance behaviors.
Journal of medical education and curricular development Tuin Ashley M, Palattao, Jr Kenneth A D, Kramer Kenneth L, Eno Cassie A, Schechter Thomas, Hays Cassandra, The Relationship Between Team Size, Location, and Performance in Preclinical Medical Education Active Learning 12, p. 23821205251352311 2025
Frontiers in neurology Giffen Kimberlee P., Chen Lei, Kramer Kenneth L., Li Yi, Zallocchi Marisa, Liu Huizhan, Yamane Kacey L., He David Z., Molecular specializations underlying phenotypic differences in inner ear hair cells of zebrafish and mice 15 2024
Biomolecules (Basel, Switzerland) Baker Carly E., Mathy Nicholas W., Wilton Delaney, Simeone Timothy, Marta Aaron G., Zimmerman Nathan D., Korade Zeljka, Kochvar Andrew, Kramer Kenneth L., Stessman Holly A. F., Shibata Annemarie, CPT2 Deficiency Modeled in Zebrafish: Abnormal Neural Development, Electrical Activity, Behavior, and Schizophrenia-Related Gene Expression 14:8, p. 914 2024
Frontiers in Neuroscience Giffen Kimberlee P., Liu Huizhan, Kramer Kenneth L., He David Z., Expression of Protein-Coding Gene Orthologs in Zebrafish and Mouse Inner Ear Non-sensory Supporting Cells 13 2019
Mechanisms of Development Thiessen Kevin D., Higuchi Lisa N., Wilkinson Christopher J., Shavit Jordan A., Kramer Kenneth L., Chin Yvonne, Grzegorski Steven J., Zebrafish otolith biomineralization requires polyketide synthase 157, p. 1 - 9 2019
The FASEB Journal Giffen Kimberlee, Liu Huizhan, Kramer Kenneth, He David, Characterizing the Role of Kcnq5a in Zebrafish Inner Ear Hair Cells 33:S1 2019
The FASEB Journal Thiessen Kevin, Kramer Kenneth, Supe Emily, Zebrafish as a Model for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo 32:S1, p. 510.3 - 510.3 2018
Scientific Data Barta Cody L., Liu Huizhan, Chen Lei, Giffen Kimberlee P., Li Yi, Kramer Kenneth L., Beisel Kirk W., He David Z., RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis of adult zebrafish inner ear hair cells 5 2018
Developmental Dynamics Lundberg Yunxia Wang, Thiessen Kevin D., Kramer Kenneth L., Xu Yinfang, Mechanisms of otoconia and otolith development 244:3, p. 239 - 253 2015
Cell Reports Venero Galanternik M., Kramer Kenneth L., Piotrowski T., Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans Regulate Fgf Signaling and Cell Polarity during Collective Cell Migration 10:3, p. 414 - 428 2015
Angiogenesis Gorsi Bushra, Liu Feng, Ma Xing, Chico Timothy J.A., Shrinivasan Ashok, Harris Adrian L., Kramer Kenneth L., Bridges Esther, Monteiro Rui, Patient Roger, Stringer Sally E., The heparan sulfate editing enzyme Sulf1 plays a novel role in zebrafish VegfA mediated arterial venous identity 17:1, p. 77 - 91 2014
PloS one Gee Stephen T., Milgram Sharon L., Kramer Kenneth L., Conlon Frank L., Moody Sally A., Yes-associated protein 65 (YAP) expands neural progenitors and regulates pax3 expression in the neural plate border zone 6:6 2011
Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology Kramer Kenneth L., Specific sides to multifaceted glycosaminoglycans are observed in embryonic development 21:6, p. 631 - 637 2010
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Zhang Zhen, Alpert Deanne, Francis Richard, Bai Yongli, Chatterjee Bishwanath, Yu Qing, Tansey Terry, Sabol Steven L., Cui Cheng, Koriabine Maxim, Yoshinaga Yuko, Cheng Jan Fang, Gunn Teresa M., Chen Feng, Martin Joel, Schackwitz Wendy, Kramer Kenneth L., De Jong Pieter J., Pennacchio Len A., Lo Cecilia W., Massively parallel sequencing identifies the gene Megf8 with ENU-induced mutation causing heterotaxy 106:9, p. 3219 - 3224 2009
Annual Review of Genetics Kramer Kenneth L., Yost H. Joseph, Heparan Sulfate Core Proteins in Cell-Cell Signaling 37, p. 461 - 484 2003
Cell Kramer Kenneth L., Barnette Janet E., Yost H. Joseph, PKCγ regulates syndecan-2 inside-out signaling during xenopus left-right development 111:7, p. 981 - 990 2002
Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology Kramer K. L., Yost H. J., Cardiac left-right development 67, p. 37 - 43 2002
Developmental Cell Kramer Kenneth L., Yost H. Joseph, Ectodermal syndecan-2 mediates left-right axis formation in migrating mesoderm as a cell-nonautonomous Vg1 cofactor 2:1, p. 115 - 124 2002
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics Kramer Kenneth L., Giffin Bruce F., Fox James W., Drake Richard L., Insulin replacement therapy in diabetic rats using an osmotic pump normalizes expression of enzymes key to hepatic carbohydrate metabolism 368:2, p. 291 - 297 1999
FASEB Journal Kramer K. L., Giffin B. F., Fox J. W., Drake R. L., Insulin replacement therapy in diabetic rats using an osmotic pump normalizes protein and mrna levels of enzymes key to hepatic carbohydrate metabolism 10:3, p. A461 1996
Presentations
KD Thiessen, EM Supe, and KL Kramer. (2019). Otol1a as a Biomarker for Vestibular Dysfunction in Zebrafish. Poster Presentation at Bellucci Symposium. 2019
KD Thiessen and KL Kramer. (2019). Balance and Biomarkers for Vestibular Disorders. Oral Presentation at the Omaha Veterans Administration Research Seminar Series. 2019
CJ Altfillisch and KL Kramer. (2019). The Role of Stereocilin-B in Otolith Attachment. Poster Presentation at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2019
KP Giffen, H Liu, KL Kramer, and DZ He. (2019). Characterizing the Role of Kcnq5a in Zebrafish Inner Ear Hair Cells. Poster Presentation at Experimental Biology Annual Meeting. 2019
KD Thiessen, EM Supe, and KL Kramer. (2019). Otol1a as a Biomarker for Vestibular Dysfunction in Zebrafish. Poster Presentation at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2019
AJ Blanck and KL Kramer. (2019). Characterizing the Role of Kinociliin in the Zebrafish Inner Ear. Poster Presentation at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2019
LL Bruce, E Dorchuck, BN Hassman, A Mezher, O Olucha, and KL Kramer. (2018). The role of grp and grpr in the extinction of cued fear memory in zebrafish. Poster Presentation at Society for Neuroscience. 2018
N Choi, KL Kramer, and Bruce LL. (2018). Role of gastrin-releasing peptide and its receptor in zebrafish behavior. Oral Presentation at Annual Biomedical Research Conference for HS-MACA students. 2018
KD Thiessen, EM Supe, and KL Kramer. Zebrafish Otolith Biomineralization Requires Polyketide Synthase. (2018). Poster presentation at International Zebrafish Society Conference. 2018
KD Thiessen, EM Supe, and KL Kramer. (2018). Otolin-1a as a Biomarker for Vestibular Dysfunction Following Microgravity Exposure in Zebrafish. Poster presentation at COBRE External Advisory Committee Meeting. 2018
KD Thiessen, EM Supe, and KL Kramer. Zebrafish as a Model for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. (2018). Poster Presentation at Experimental Biology Annual Meeting. 2018
KD Thiessen, EM Supe, and KL Kramer. (2018). Otolin-1a as a Biomarker for Vestibular Dysfunction Following Microgravity Exposure in Zebrafish. Oral presentation at Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting. 2018
E Supe, KD Thiessen, and KL Kramer. (2018). Zebrafish as a Model for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Poster Presentation at Creighton's St Albert's Day. 2018
B Hassman, E Dorchuck, C Prince, K Reidelberger, KL Kramer, and LL Bruce. (2018). Comparison of behavioral tests to assess fear and anxiety in a teleost, Danio rerio, and an amphibian, Xenopus tropicalis. Poster Presentation at Creighton's St Albert's Day. 2018
Zebrafish as a Model for Characterizing Biomarkers of Vestibular Dysfunction. Seminar at Boys Town National Research Hospital. 2018
A Mezher, LL Bruce, KL Kramer. (2018). Evolution of Genetic Networks Regulating Fear Behaviors. Poster at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2018
ST Stringham, KP Giffen, H Liu, KL Kramer, and DZ He. (2018). Enrichment of Glutamate Transporter slc1A3 Orthologs in Zebrafish and Mouse Hair Cells of the Inner Ear. Poster at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2018
KP Giffen, H Liu, L Chen, ST Stringham, KL Kramer, KW Beisel, and DZ He. (2018). Unique Expression of Gene Orthologs in Zebrafish and Mouse Non-sensory Supporting Cell Populations of the Inner Ear. Poster at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2018
KP Giffen, H Liu, L Chen, ST Stringham, KL Kramer, KW Beisel, and DZ He. (2018). Unique Expression of Gene Orthologs in Zebrafish and Mouse Non-sensory Supporting Cell Populations of the Inner Ear. Poster Presentation at the Association of Research Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. 2018
H Liu, L Chen, KP Giffen, Y Li, KL Kramer, KW Beisel, and DZ He. (2018). Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Differences Between Zebrafish and Mouse Hair Cell Specializations. Poster Presentation at the Association of Research Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. 2018
B Hassman, E Dorchuck, C Prince, K Reidelberger, KL Kramer, and LL Bruce. (2017). Comparison of behavioral tests to assess fear and anxiety in a teleost, Danio rerio, and an amphibian, Xenopus tropicalis. Poster Presentation at Society for Neuroscience. 2017
CJ Altfillisch, DB Nerland, CJ Inserra, MF Chlopek, and KL Kramer. (2017). Stereocilin-b Tethers the Zebrafish Otolith to Sensory Hair Cell in the Inner Ear. Poster at Experimental Biology Annual Meeting. 2017
KD Thiessen, LN Higuchi, and KL Kramer. Polyketide Synthase is Required for Zebrafish Otolith Biomineralization. (2017). Poster Presentation at Experimental Biology Annual Meeting. 2017
B Hassman, E Dorchuck, KL Kramer, and LL Bruce. (2017). Behavioral Tests for Assessing Learning in Xenopus Tropicalis. Oral Presentation at The Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting. 2017
CL Harrison and KL Kramer. Characterization of Specific Glycans in the Zebrafish Inner Ear. (2017). Poster Presentation at Creighton Honors Day. 2017
SH Byer, LL Bruce, and KL Kramer. Understanding the Role of Amygdalar Proteoglycan Glypican-3 in Zebrafish Aversive Behavior Response. (2017). Poster Presentation at Creighton Honors Day. 2017
CJ Altfillisch, DB Nerland, CJ Inserra, MF Chlopek, and KL Kramer. (2017). Stereocilin-b Tethers the Zebrafish Otolith to Sensory Hair Cell in the Inner Ear. Poster Presentation at Creighton's St Albert's Day. 2017
E Supe, KD Thiessen, and KL Kramer. (2017). Zebrafish as a Model for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Poster Presentation at Creighton's St Albert's Day. 2017
HJ Lang, and KL Kramer. (2017). Investigation of Enhancers that Drive Specific Expression in the Amygdala. Poster Presentation at Creighton's St Albert's Day. 2017
CL Harrison and KL Kramer. (2017). Characterization of Specific Glycans in the Zebrafish Inner Ear. Poster Presentation at Creighton's St Albert's Day. 2017
KD Thiessen, LN Higuchi, and KL Kramer. (2017). Polyketide Synthase is Required for Zebrafish Otolith Biomineralization. Poster Presentation at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2017
JE Marvin and KL Kramer. (2017). The glycosyltransferase Loki uses a high-energy donor to indirectly transglycosylate methylumbelliferone. Poster at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2017
JH Werner, KL Kramer, and LL Bruce. (2017). Localizing Homologs of Gene-Specific Amygdalar Neurons in the Chicken Brain, Gallus Gallus Domesticus. Poster at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2017
CJ Inserra and KL Kramer. Stereocilin Paralogs Have Distinct Roles in Zebrafish Inner Ear Development. Poster Presentation at the Association of Research Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. 2017
B Timm, KL Kramer, and LL Bruce. (2016). Localizing homologs of gene specific amygdalar areas in embryonic chick brain Gallus gallus domesticus. Poster Presentation at Annual Biomedical Research Conference for HS-MACA students. 2016
"Sugar Balance: How Glycans Control Inner Ear Development" 2016
Catharine N Kral, Benjamin F Kopecky, and Kenneth L Kramer. TECTA, Otog, and Otogl Influence Zebrafish Otolith Organization. Poster Presentation at Creighton Honor's Day. 2016
Catharine N Kral, Benjamin F Kopecky, and Kenneth L Kramer. TECTA, Otog, and Otogl Influence Zebrafish Otolith Organization. Poster Presentation at St. Albert's Day. 2016
Kevin D Thiessen and Kenneth L Kramer. Role of Otolin-1b During Otolith Nucleation in Zebrafish. Oral Presentation at St. Albert's Day. 2016
KD Thiessen and KL Kramer. The Otolithic Membrane Mediates Otolith Organization. Poster Presentation at Experimental Biology Annual Meeting 2016
C Barta, H Liu, KL Kramer, KW Beisel, DZ He. (2016). Transcriptome Characterization of Adult Zebrafish Inner-Ear Hair Cells. Poster Presentation at the Association of Research Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. 2016
EW Villanueva and KL Kramer. Age-Related Changes in the Inner Ear of the Adult Zebrafish. Poster Presentation at Creighton Honor's Day. 2015
C Altfillisch, K Arnold, L Higuchi, KL Kramer, MG Nichols, HC Jensen Smith. Differences in Aminoglycoside Entry and Mitochondrial Metabolism in Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Sensory. Poster Presentation at St. Albert's Day. 2015
K Arnold, C Altfillisch, L Higuchi, KL Kramer, MG Nichols, HC Jensen Smith. Differences in Mitochondrial Metabolism in Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Sensory. Poster Presentation at St. Albert's Day. 2015
KD Thiessen and KL Kramer. Endolymph facilitates otolith nucleation in early zebrafish ear development. Poster Presentation at St. Albert's Day. 2015
CJ Inserra and KL Kramer. Visualization of Stereocilin in the developing zebrafish ear. Poster Presentation at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2015
KD Thiessen and KL Kramer. Endolymph facilitates otolith nucleation in early zebrafish ear development. Poster Presentation at Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum. 2015
Otolith organization is mediated by otogelin-like. Oral Presentation at the Association of Research Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. 2015
"Otogelin in Zebrafish Otolith Attachment and Organization" 2014
Seeding zebrafish otoliths: sweet & salty mediators of zebrafish ear development 2014
"From Sweet to salty: mediators of zebrafish ear development" 2013