Research

Tensile stretch and hypoxia influence the function of isolated neurons

Principal investigator: Martin KNIGHT
Co-investigator(s): J.V. Priestley and A. Michael-Titus
Funding source(s): BBSRC
 Start: 01-09-2007  /  End: 31-08-2010
Directly incurred staff: Stacy Gladman

Isolated neuron immunolabelled for NF200Neurons within the peripheral nervous system experience considerable tensile strains associated with various pathological conditions, and this can result in pain and loss of function. Similarly, spinal cord injury is characterized by a primary mechanical event that produces immediate cell damage or death and a slower phase of delayed secondary injury that occurs hours to days after the initial insult and includes elements of hypoxia. However, the cellular and molecular events underlying such changes are poorly understood, and there is a lack of pharmacological agents that can be used to neuroprotect and promote functional recovery. The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to understand the direct effects of tensile strain and of hypoxia on neuronal viability, and to characterize the intracellular pathways activated by these stimuli, and to identify novel neuroprotective agents for use in traumatic brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury. The three supervisors have expertise in spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury (Prof. Priestley, Neuroscience Centre, School of Medicine), in confocal microscopy and mechanobiology (Dr Knight, Medical Engineering) and in pharmacological strategies for neuroprotection (Dr Michael-Titus, Neuroscience Centre).