Synapse formation, maintenance, and plasticity. Current Research addresses the role of synapse-organizing molecules, like the proteins agrin and the neuregulins, in the formatin of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction. Future studies will investigate mechanisms of synaptogenesis at neuron-neuron synapses as well. Fundamental mechanisms of nerve regeneration and neurite outgrowth. Development and analysis of biomaterials that can be used in the fabrication of nerve guidance channels to enhance nerve repair.
Studies are highly collaborative and span a broad range of activities.
We are actively involved in development of rapid microcolumn chemical separation procedures and novel detection approaches that draw on recent advances from both the biology and physics communities. A major goal of our research is to identify the signal transduction pathways utilized by astrocytes and neurons that determine their cell fate. The fatal outcome of the viral infection is premature neuronal loss. Since ts1 does not infect neurons, the neuronal death is most likely due to the virus-induced dysfunction of the infected astrocytes. As a consequence of the ts1 MoMuLV infection, astrocytes may either die or proliferate excessively.