Traumatic damage to the brain and spinal cord constitutes some of the most devastating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Our multidisciplinary team of investigators focuses on studies to advance diagnosis, treatment and repair of CNS damage.
This research group uses contemporary cellular, molecular, behavior and electrophysiological approaches to study the initiating and evolving mechanisms of pathogenesis, therapeutic targets to attenuate damage, and delayed interventions to expedite recovery and repair.
The faculty in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, in collaboration with basic and clinical scientists from other academic units, are dedicated to studying ways to:
- Enhance patient management through diagnostics
- Improve overall outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Lessen secondary insults
- Promote regeneration
Faculty
Jeffrey L. Dupree, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Jeffrey L. Dupree, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology
Phone: 804-828-9536
Email: jeffrey.dupree@vcuhealth.org
Kimberle M. Jacobs, PhD
Associate Professor
Kimberle M. Jacobs, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology
Phone: 804-827-2135
Pamela E. Knapp, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Pamela E. Knapp, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology
Phone: 804-628-7570
Email: pamela.knapp@vcuhealth.org
Audrey D. Lafrenaye, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Audrey D. Lafrenaye, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology
Phone: 804-828-0527
Andrew K. Ottens, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Andrew K. Ottens, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Phone: 804-628-2972
Fax: 804-828-9477
Email: andrew.ottens@vcuhealth.org
John T. Povlishock, PhD
Professor, Retired
John T. Povlishock, PhD
Professor, Retired
Anatomy and Neurobiology
Phone: 804-828-9403
Dong Sun, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Dong Sun, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Phone: 804-828-1318
Fax: 804-828-3276
Email: dong.sun@vcuhealth.org
Ongoing Projects
Faculty: Jeffrey Dupree, Ph.D.
Sponsor: Veterans' Affairs Merit Award
Cost: $1,073,382
Duration: April 1, 2015 – March 3, 2024
Project Description: The main goal of this project is to use a combination of morphological and electrophysiological approaches to characterize the loss of axon initial segments in cortical layer V both EAE and MS in the absence of demyelination.
Faculty: Kimberle Jacobs, Ph.D., John Povlishock, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Cost: $4,616,974
Duration: September 1, 2011 – January 31, 2022
Project Description: This grant uses advanced bioimaging approaches and in-vivo slice preparations, coupled with cell specific patch clamp electrophysiological analyses, to investigate frontoparietal Lamina V neurons and their GABAergic interneurons to explore both the initial pathogenesis and consequences associated with diffuse axonal injury occurring in discrete perisomatic domains. The project also examines the damaging consequences of repetitive traumatic brain injury and the role of microvascular change therein.
Faculty: Pamela Knapp, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Cost: $3,863,590
Duration: May 15, 2014 – April 30, 2021
Project Description: This project tests the hypothesis that neural progenitor dysfunction in HIV models is driven by aberrant interactions with activated microglia, and that chronic opiate-HIV exposure permanently alters cell populations in maturing/adult brains.
MPIs: Pamela Knapp, Ph.D and Kurt Hauser, Ph.D (Affiliate Faculty)
Faculty: Adam “Rory” McQuiston, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Cost: $3,506,269
Duration: April 15, 2013 – March 31, 2024
Project Description: These studies determine mechanisms by which non-neuronal cells in CNS contribute to HIV or HIV and opiate-mediated neuron death and synaptodendritic dysfunction in the hippocampus. Focus is on novel interactions between the mu-opiate receptor and chemokine receptor CCR5.
Faculty: Pamela Knapp, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Cost: $807,952
Duration: September 15, 2019 – July 31, 2024
Project Description: This project investigates the role of glial-to-neuronal signaling in the control of HIV latency using iPSC models of infection and neurodegeneration.
Faculty: Pamela Knapp, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Cost: $1,639,264
Duration: September 1, 2017 – June 30, 2022
Project Description: These studies determine whether HIV-1 Tat exposure causes structural (MRI/tractography) and biochemical changes in CNS white matter, whether opiate exposure or withdrawal exacerbate, and role of blood-brain-barrier changes. In vitro studies examine HIV-opiate effects on human OLs.
Faculty: Pamela Knapp, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Cost: $2,956,903
Duration: September 1, 2016 – June 30, 2021
Project Description: These studies investigate whether methamphetamine-induced reversal of latent HIV in microglia is driven by neuronal injury. In vitro human and rodent models are used.
Faculty: Audrey Lafrenaye, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Cost: $1,334,376
Duration: December 1, 2016 – November 30, 2021
Project Description: These studies focus on elucidating the relationship that secondary post-injury intracranial pressure elevation has to behavioral morbidity and diffuse pathological progressions, with a focus on diffuse neuronal membrane disruption and investigations into novel therapeutic interventions targeting this pathology.
Faculty: Adam “Rory” McQuiston, Ph.D., Dong Sun, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Cost: $1,602,581
Duration: June 1, 2016 – May 31, 2021
Project Description: This project will develop a biomaterial-based cell transplantation strategy to improve neural structural repair and enhance long term survival and functional integration of transplanted iPSCs achieving the goal of repair and regeneration of the injured pediatric brain.
Faculty: Andrew Ottens, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Cost: $5,272,937
Duration: August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2024
Project Description: This study will examine vascular, placental and amniotic effects of inhaled pollutants in preclinical models of vulnerability to hypertension of pregnancy.
Faculty: Andrew Ottens, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety
Cost: $1,600,000
Duration: September 30, 2015 – September 30, 2021
Project Description: The project addresses mechanisms underlying lung-vascular-brain systemic route of injury following occupational exposure to carbon nanomaterials. A key outcome of this research is identifying circulating proteolytic peptide products as bioactive mediators in driving cerebrovascular dysfunction and neuroinflammation.
Faculty: Dong Sun, Ph.D.
Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Cost: $1,529,422
Duration: February 1, 2017 – January 31, 2022
Project Description: The goal of this project is to examine the importance of Notch signaling in regulating neural stem cell activation in response to brain trauma and its role in post-TBI neuroplasticity.