Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center

Hetman Lab: Research                

Pathologies of the nervous system including  traumatic injuries and neurodegenerative diseases are accompanied by neuronal- and/or oligodendrocyte cell death and dysfunction. The resulting loss of cell bodies, synapses, cellular processes, and meylin sheets is thought to underlie neurological deficits occurring in these conditions. Therefore, therapeutic interventions to enhance neuronal/oligodendrocyte survival and to preserve their morphological complexity may prevent development of deleterious neurological symptoms. The research in my laboratory is concentrated on identification of molecules controlling neuronal /oligodenrocyte survival and maintenance of their functional and morphological integrity. My particular interests are in:   Area 1- Role of Nucleolus in Neuronal Health and Disease, and, Area 2- Signaling pathways that support neuron- or oligodendrocyte survival under stress.