Dr. Sims is interested in development of the spinal cord, and the response of the spinal cord to injury. Recent studies focus on cell to cell interactions within the spinal cord in attempts to enhance axonal regeneration following injury. The effect of irradiation on astrocyte barriers.
Microglial development is altered in immature spinal cord by exposure to radiation.
Astrocytes in the aged rat spinal cord fail to increase GFAP mRNA following sciatic nerve axotomy. Schwann cells can misdirect regrowing neuronal processes.