Dana M McTigue, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience

Degree: Ohio State University
Postdoctoral Training: Ohio State University
PHONE: (614) 292-5523
FAX: (614) 688-8742
E-MAIL: dana.mctigue@osumc.edu

Link to NLM PubMed publications list for Dana M. McTigue (last 10 years)

Spinal cord injury and recovery of function, gliogenesis, adult progenitor cell function, demyelination and remyelination of the CNS

Current Research:

Our laboratory, which is part of the newly developed Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, focuses on the role of adult progenitor cells after CNS injury or disease. These cells have been shown to form new oligodendrocytes in vivo after demyelination, and to form oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and neurons in vitro. In a recent study, we determined that these cells spontaneously form a large number of new oligodendrocytes around the circumference of spinal contusion lesions. In ongoing studies we are examining: 1) What molecules present after spinal cord injury promote this rapid and pronounced gliogenesis? 2) What effect does inflammation have on the function of the progenitors and adult oligodendrocytes? 3) What type of intercellular communications are involved in gliogenesis after CNS injury, including interactions between progenitors, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia and macrophages?

The long-term goal of these studies is to determine how the formation of new cells in the adult CNS is regulated and whether this process can be manipulated to promote greater anatomical and functional recovery from spinal cord injury and other CNS disorders.

Techniques:

Our laboratory uses a variety of techniques to study changes after spinal cord injury. Students will have the opportunity to learn surgical techniques, behavioral analysis of spinal injured animals, intraspinal microinjection, cell culture, laser capture microdissection, real-time PCR, Western blots, light and confocal microscopy, image analysis of CNS tissue, immunohistochemistry.