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There
are two possible outcomes: If the result confirms
the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If
the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then
you've made a discovery.
-
Enrico Fermi
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Current Projects:
Our group is currently working on four projects, we also still have information on earlier work. |
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Stem Cell Therapy in the Nervous System.
Stem cells are used to promote regeneration in the brain and
spinal cord and to repair the damage after injury. The objective of this study is to
develop methods for treatment of neurological disorders and injuries.
Stem
cells are derived from mouse embryos or adult mouse brains. |
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MicroRNA and RNA Interference in Peripheral Nerve
Regeneration
RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural process that cells use to
destroy foreign genetic message. Consequently, the gene's function is
"knocked down", without interfering with the gene itself. Small
double-stranded interfering RNA (siRNA) act as guides, binding to the
corresponding segments of an mRNA and activating cellular enzymes that
cleave and destroy the mRNA. The objective of this study is to silence
malfunctioning genes in the nervous system. |
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Role of Estrogen Signaling
in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.
The project is focused on neuroprotective and regenerative effects
of estrogen in the nervous system. We have found significant
acceleration in regeneration of peripheral nerves after estrogen
administration. The aim of this study is to
identify estrogen signaling mechanism involved in potentiation of nerve
regeneration and functional recovery after injury to the nervous system. |
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SERMs
in Neuromodulation of Nerve Regeneration.
The project is focused on
initiation of a new study which will characterize the effects of Selective
Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
on regeneration and functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush and in an
experimental model of diabetic neuropathy. |
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Role of Pro-inflammatory
Cytokines in the Brain Following Trauma.
The hypothesis to be examined is that cytokines produced in the
brain play a critical role in mediating pain, stress and inflammatory
signals. This signaling may activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases
which may in turn lead to activation of transcription factors, expression of
the other cytokines and to activation or inhibition of programmed cell death
in specific brain areas involved in control and restoration of the body's
homeostasis after systemic trauma. |
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Neural Development of the
Mouse Vestibular System in the Absence of Gravity.
The project is focused on analysis of critical periods in postnatal
neural development of vestibular system in mutant mice (“tilted”).
Tilted is a spontaneous mutation characterized by the lack
of gravity perception. The hypothesis to be examined is that normal development of
the vestibular ganglion and vestibular nuclei will be affected in the absence of gravity
perception. |
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Role of Heat Shock Protein 25 (Hsp25) in
Stress and Regeneration in the Brain.
We have characterized expression pattern of Hsp25 protein in the central nervous
system during stress, injury and regeneration. In parallel we have examined
expression pattern of p38, Mapkapk-2 and Akt kinases. |
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Expression and Function of Heat Shock
Proteins in the Mammalian Gut During Experimentally Induced Hypoxia and Exogenous Stress.
We have examined the role of the heat shock proteins (hsp) in the cellular
response to hypoxic cell damage in the mammalian gut. |
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Role of Naturally Occurring Antisense mRNAs
in Neural Development.
We have established that antisense transcripts for Hsp70.2 gene is naturally
expressed in the adult mouse brain and in developmentally-regulated pattern during neural
development. |
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