Projects

In Vitro Chemotaxis of Human Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Following Exposure to Soluble Factors from Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Lines

• This research studies the migration of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMCs) toward ovarian cancer cells. These experiments are the first steps in researching a new way to treat ovarian cancer. Currently, our research has shown that stem cells do migrate more in the presence of cancer cells, significantly more than they do by themselves or in the presence of fibroblasts. In the future, we will test this model in an animal model.

Fig. 1: hBMSCs surrounding an ovarian cancer spheroid

In Vitro Transdifferentiation of Mesenchymal and Hematopoietic Stem Cells into Dopaminergic Neurons

• Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra in the brain.  The cause of the deterioration of these neurons are unknown, and many of the characteristic symptoms of Parkinson’s do not appear until many of the dopamine producing neurons are nonfunctional.  This leaves limited treatment options for Parkinson’s patients. We are researching the possibility of stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s patients.  We hypothesize that stem cells can be transdifferentiated into dopaminergic neurons.  We are focusing on chemically induced transdifferentiation of stem cells into neurons, and identifying the combinations of growth factors that lead to optimal transdifferentiation.  The long-term goal of this study is to replace the neuronal tissue lost by Parkinson’s patients by transdifferentiated stem cell transplantation. 

  

  Fig. 2: 24 hours after transdifferentiation of hbmsc

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The Neuroprotective Effects of Estrogen on Glutamate Cytoxicity

• Stress increases glutamate levels in the brain leading to an excitotoxic/apoptotic effect on neurons. Because glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter can induce neuronal stress and cell death, it is thought to have a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Recent evidence indicates estrogen protects the brain from stress and neurodegenerative diseases via an ApoE mediated mechanism. The purpose of the study is to research the possibility that estrogen protects neurons from glutamate mediated excitotoxic stress through an ApoE mechanism.  Wild type and ApoE knockout mice hippocampal neurons were used and three morphological parameters were analyzed, including soma area, process length, and number of processes. The conclusions of the experiments thus far suggest estrogen may provide protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Fig. 3: Hippocampal neuron stained with AO/EB in order to assess apoptosis and necrosis