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Neural Stem Cells

Principal Investigator: Dwain Morris-Irvin, PhD, MPH

This research group focuses on identifying novel therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. More specifically, researchers utilize viral gene delivery techniques to manipulate intrinsic factors associated with neural stem/progenitor cells proliferation, differentiation and cell fate choices. Additionally, the team also examines the potential of neural stem cells as a pool or source of cells for cell replacement therapy. Currently, they are examining the potential of neural stem cells for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and have demonstrated an ability to generate dopaminergic neurons, the cells lost in Parkinson's, from ventral midbrain stem/progenitor cells. This group also examines the potential of neural stem cells to act as vehicles for gene delivery. This group and others have demonstrated the potential of neural stem cells to behave as vehicles for targeted delivery of anti-tumor agents to tumors. Stem cells may also behave as vehicles for gene delivery to damaged areas of the brain, including trauma and neurodegeneration. Currently, researchers are examining the molecular signaling that underlie these functions.

Recent Publications

2007

2006

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