Research Overview
NEUROTROPHIC GROWTH FACTORS
Our lab has focused on defining the actions of the neurotrophin growth factors in the vasculature and in neurons. Although neurotrophins are best known for their survival and differentation-inducing actions on neurons, recent work indentifies critical functions in modulating synaptic activity and mediating cell death. Our current studies are focused on identifying (1) the biological actions of pro-neurotrophins in inducing apoptosis (2) the role of the neurotrophin BDNF in regulating angiogenesis and vascular response to injury and (3) mechanisms of neurotrophin release and processing from pro- to mature neurotrophin forms, thereby altering receptor specificity and biological action.
