The mechanism by which cells of all organisms respond to environmental and physiological stress is not known. In our laboratory, we examine the first steps along the stress gene induction pathway. Cells have complex mechanisms to control cell growth and division which biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology have recently begun to unravel. Immunocytochemical and in situ techniques are used to examine the distribution of myosin heavy chain isoforms in skeletal muscle cells. Our laboratory uses molecular biology, biochemistry, tissue culture and histology to study proteins which may have a specific role in the growth of neurons during nervous system development, and during regeneration following injury.
Neurotrophic molecules are potent regulators of neuronal survival and differentiated phenotype.
Current research is aimed at obtaining a greater understanding, at the cellular level, of the role of neurotrophic molecules and their receptors in the maintenance and repair of adult mammalian sensory neurons. Molecular biological, morphometric, histochemical and behavioural approaches are used to determine the overall impact and therapeutic potential of these molecules.