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Randall D. McKinnon
Associate Professor
UMDNJ-RWJ Medical School
Department of Surgery
675 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854
(732) 235-4419
FAX - 4477
mckinnon@umdnj.edu |
Developmental neurobiology, neuroncology, growth factors
Our
research efforts examine the role of polypeptide growth factors during brain
development and the generation of axon ensheathing glial cells of the CNS. using both classical and reverse genetics. Our long term objective is to
identify factors with potential for enhancing CNS myelin repair after injury
or demyelinating disease. These studies involve several experimental systems
and a variety of molecular genetic approaches. First, cells isolated from the
rodent brain are examined using cell and molecular techniques in vitro. These
studies rely on our extensive experience with primary cell culture and gene
transfer technology for both gain and loss of function analysis. Second, cells engineered in vitro to alter specific signaling pathways are examined
after transplantation in vivo. Third, signaling pathways important for glial
maturation in rodents are examined in the model genetic organism Drosophila
melanogaster. Finally, regulators of glial maturation in fly
embryogenesis are examined for their roles in vertebrate glia. Such studies
are thus aimed at identifying conserved signaling pathways involved in the
extensive cross talk between neurons and glia during brain development.
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