Research Interest
Mechanisms of Brain injury and Repair: Cerebrovascular Remodeling, Neurogenesis and Neuroinflammation
- Our laboratory investigates Eph receptor biology and function in the context of brain injury. Eph receptors are developmentally important molecules critical for axon growth & guidance , which we discovered play a vital role in regulating injury-induced vascular remodeling. This work was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. We interrogate Eph signaling using conditional gene targeted approaches in murine models of stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy. A variety of cellular, molecular and advanced imaging tools, including single cell RNAseq, are integrated into studies focused on understanding the key mechanistic pathways underlying neurovascular and neuroimmune health.
- Toward our long-term translational goal, we have begun testing several novel peptides for their therapeutic potential in treating brain injury. We are simultaneously developing cell-based and cell-targeted delivery methods aimed at limiting the extend of tissue damage, promoting vascular integrity and retooling the neuroinflammatory milieu.