"Cardiac myocyte growth and death, transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of cell growth"

 

The main lines of research at my laboratory revolve around the development of regenerative strategies for type 1 diabetes, which include islet regeneration, reprogramming/transdifferentiation andstem celldifferentiation into insulin-producing beta cells. In the context of the latter, we haveconducted seminal studieson the use of protein transduction and the role of oxygenation on pancreatic endocrinedevelopment. Our lab was among the first to conduct research on human embryonic stem cells at the University of Miami.

 

"We study survival and regeneration in the developing and adult nervous system, bridging molecular, cellular, and in vivo approaches. Additional projects focus on the use of stem cells and nanotechnology."

 

Cardiac cell regeneration

 

The research in my laboratory focuses on the role of normal cell-of-origin in determining tumor phenotype and tumor stem cell biology.  In addition we are involved in development of culture systems for in vitro culture of primary human tissues and tumors, as well as development of xenograft tumor models.  As a surgical pathologist I am also involved in several translational research projects in breast and ovarian cancer.

 

Our lab studies axon regeneration in vitro and in vivo. A major goal is to identify and characterize genes that enhance axon regeneration using high content screening.

 

Research in the lab focuses on axon growth and guidance in the developing and regenerating nervous systems. Neural stem/progenitor cell biology in both native neurogenesis and following CNS trauma using endogenous and transplantation strategies

 

"My laboratory focuses on several key aspects of CNS injury repair: 1) preventing progressive tissue damage following the initial mechanical trauma through the application of pharmacological or biological neuroprotectants, 2) overcoming the physical impediment of the injury cyst through the implantation of exogenous cells or by harnessing endogenous cellular repair mechanisms and, 3) the promotion of axon regeneration by the stimulation of intracellular signaling pathways that are important in the initiation and/or maintainence of axon growth."

 

"Novel mechanisms of signal transduction, with a focus on heterotrimeric G proteins and Ca2+ binding proteins. Structure-function aspects and subcellular localization of signaling proteins"

 

"Our areas of research center on the development of the nervous system, neurotrophin signaling in neural cells and repair of the CNS after spinal cord injury. For the development of nervous system we try to understand how mitogenic factors influence cell numbers and how cell fates are linked to specific transcriptional networks. We use live fluorescent imaging techniques to study neurotrophin signaling. For spinal cord injury repair strategies, we utilize modified neurotrophins and grafting of CNS derived cells. We integrate several approaches including Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics and Imaging techniques."