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overview
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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 purinergic-, estrogen- and Eph-receptors 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, physiological recordings and behavioral assays are 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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