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Collaborators:
Dr. Scott R. Whittmore
University of Louisville,
Kentucky
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Dr.
Jorge Miranda
Our research interest is in the
area of developmental neurobiology, specifically on nerve regeneration
and axonal outgrowth. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) results in a
series of time-dependent structural and physiological changes
at the site of the trauma producing a non-permissive environment
for axonal outgrowth. The focus of this laboratory is to analyze
at the mRNA and protein level the temporal and spatial expression
of molecular signals with repellent properties that may be upregulated
after SCI, inhibiting axonal elongation. At the present, we
are investigating the expression of the Eph receptor tyrosine
kinases and its ligands the ephrins after SCI.
In addition, we are interested in determine the possible role
that these receptors play in the non-favorable environment for
axonal regeneration and function recovery. Molecular biology,
protein biochemistry, neuroimaging
traicing strategies and behavioral
assays will be used in conjuction
with injured rats at the T10 level to analyze the expression
of these proteins. Defining the specific temporal and spatial
expression of individual inhibitory molecules, both on the regenerating
fibers and in the local microenvironment, may lead to novel
therapeutic strategies to enhanced regeneration and functional
recovery after SCI.
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