Research

Research:

The hippocampus, a key brain area for memory function, changes dramatically in response to both beneficial and detrimental stimuli. Our lab focuses on the role of hippocampal neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) in modulating the hippocampal response to environmental stimuli. We are especially interested in how the secretome of NSPC can help define plastic versus pathological responses in the adult hippocampus.


Image: Coronal brain slice from a mouse treated with the excitotoxic agent kainic acid shows microglial activation in the hippocampus as revealed by microglial markers Iba1 and CD68.

Approach:

We use a variety of techniques to probe the function of NSPCs, including:

  • Transgenic mouse models to specifically manipulate gene expression in spatially and temporally defined cell populations
  • In vitro modeling of NSPCs
  • Gene expression quantification assays, including real time qPCR and RNAseq
  • Protein expression quantification assays, including ELISA, western blots, immunohistochemical staining
  • Cellular phenotyping and quantification, using fluoresence microscopy, confocal microscopy
  • Behavioral assays of cognitive and emotional function

Current funding:

  • 2021-2026. R01 from NINDS. “Regulation of adult hippocampal function by the neural stem and progenitor cell secretome.”
  • 2021-2022. R21 from NINDS. ““Regulation of adult hippocampal neural stem cells by glutamate transport.”
    • Diversity supplement for graduate training in 2022
  • 2021-2023. EAGER award from NSF. “EAGER: Open access resources to promote undergraduate neuroscience education.”
  • 2019-2022. NSF standard grant. “Adult neural stem cell self-regulation via soluble growth factor.”

Past funding:

  • 2018-2020. NARSAD Young Investigator Award from the Brain Behavior Research Foundation. “Visualizing secreted proteins in the brain.”
  • 2018. Chronic Brain Injury pilot grant from the Ohio State Discovery Themes. Co-PI: Dr. Olga Kokiko-Cochran. “Quantifying the hippocampal neural stem cell transcriptome after TBI.”
  • 2015-2019. K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NINDS. “Regulation and regeneration of hippocampal plasticity by neural progenitor cells.”