Judith B Grinspan Ph.D.
NeurobiologistChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
34th & Civic Center Boulevard
Abramson, Room 516D
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-590-2094 (tel)
[email protected]
Biography/Curriculum Vitae:
Research Interests:
Narrative of Current Research Efforts:
I am a neurobiologist interested in the formation of myelin, the substance that coats nerve cells and allows conduction of nervous impulses in the central and peripheral nervous systems. My research involves examining the differentiation of embryonic stem cells in the central nervous system to mature myelin-producing cells, or oligodendrocytes. I am identifying factors that encourage the development and survival of these cells and increase the formation of myelin. My goal is to develop strategies for remyelination following diseases in which myelin is lost, such as multiple sclerosis.
My laboratory work mainly involves isolating myelinating cells from the brain at various stages of development and growing them in tissue culture. Using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and Wester blotting techniques, I am investigating the effects of brain-derived growth factors on differentiation and myelination. The study of oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell survival in vivo and in vitro has been a major ongoing project in my laboratory and I am assessing the role of cell death factors in oligodendrocyte maturation.
Major Honors and Awards:
Representative Publications:
Grinspan JB, Marchionni MA, Reeves M, Coulaloglou M, Scherer SS.; Axonal interactions regulate Schwann cell apoptosis in developing peripheral nerve: neuregulin receptors and the role of neuregulins. J Neurosci 1996 Oct 1;16(19):6107-18
Grinspan JB, Edell E, Carpio DF, Beesley JS, Lavy L, Pleasure D, Golden JA.; Stage-specific effects of bone morphogenetic proteins on the oligodendrocyte lineage. J Neurobiol 2000 Apr;43(1):1-17
Beesley JS, Lavy L, Eraydin NB, Siman R, Grinspan JB.; Caspase-3 activation in oligodendrocytes from the myelin-deficient rat. J Neurosci Res. 2001 May 15;64(4):371-9.
Created 8/29/2006 by Danielle Onunkwo
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