Phillip G. Popovich, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology & Medical Genetics

Dierctor-Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair (CBSCR)

Ph.D. : The Ohio State University
Post-Doctoral Training: Neuroimmunology
Dr. Caroline Whitacre, The Ohio State University


Phone: (614) 688-8576
Fax: (614) 292-9805
Email: popovich.2@osu.edu

Link to NLM PubMed publications list for Phillip G. Popovich (last 10 years)

Research Areas:

Neuroimmunology of spinal cord injury, immunological influences on neuronal degeneration and regeneration, neuroendocrine influences (e.g., stress/HPA axis activation) on inflammatory mediated injury/repair of the CNS

Current Research:

My laboratory is an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to studying the complexities of CNS injury, inflammation and tissue repair. We are currently funded (by NIH) to explore the consequences of resident (e.g., microglia) and recruited inflammatory cell (e.g., macrophages, T-lymphocytes) activation on axonal injury, demyelination and neurological function in models of rat and mouse SCI.

Inflammation is an inevitable consequence of tissue damage and is necessary for efficient cell repair. However, acute inflammation also causes “collateral” damage to tissues before repair processes are initiated. In the spinal cord, where most cells are post-mitotic and exhibit poor regenerative/repair potential, inflammation can have devastating consequences. We are striving to develop novel therapies that will manipulate or over-ride normal immune function.

Equipment and Techniques:

Spinal cord injury modeling, immunohistochemistry and state-of-the-art microscopy (light/fluorescence/dark-field/confocal) and image analysis (with stereology), laser-capture micro-dissection, behavioral analysis of locomotor and sensory function, neuroanatomical tract tracing, cell culture (neuronal/glial/macrophage/lymphocyte), FACS analysis, targeted leukocyte depletion, in situ hybridization, animal models of CNS autoimmune disease (e.g. EAE), lymphocyte phenotype and functional assays, basic molecular biology (e.g., PCR). We also have ongoing collaborations using customized DNA microarray technology.