| Martin Grumet, Ph.D., Professor D251 Nelson Labs 604 Allison Road Piscataway, NJ 08854-6999 VOICE: (732) 445-6577 FAX: (732) 445-2063 mgrumet@rci.rutgers.edu Visit the Grumet Lab |
Research Summary
Notch-expressing neural precursors
Work in Prof. Martin Grumet's lab found that expressing Notch protein stabilizes radial glial cells from early brain development, allowing detailed study of these ephemeral but important cells. Here, some cells expressing Notch (green) exhibit elongated bipolar morphology characteristic of radial glia.
Neural Stem Cells in Development & Neurological Disorders
One major focus of our laboratory is on radial glia cells, which are neural stem cells. We have isolated radial glial cell clones that can promote neurite growth both in culture and in vivo. Transplantation experiments are assessing the migration patterns of radial glial neural stem cells in contused rat spinal cord, and their ability to protect neural tissue against secondary damage, and promote axonal growth and nerve regeneration. Studies are in progress to understand the cellulr and molecular mechanisms of action of radial glial neural stem cells. These cells form bridges across spinal cord lesions when transplanted acutely. Molecular studies are in progress to understand the effects of these cells in vivo and to search for factors responsible for the radial phenotype using molecular biology and microarray gene chip technologies. We are also isolating radial glial cells from embryos and embryonic stem cells to analyze their molecular properties and have prepared stabilized cell lines that resemble radial glia and neural stem cells. Transplantation experiments are designed to optimize protocols to protect the injured spinal cord from secondary damage and to promote functional recovery. Combination therapies are also being tested using enzymes, drugs (including siRNAs) and cells. We are planning to combine siRNA delivery with cell transplantation in the injured spinal cord injury to limit secondary injury and promote functional recovery.
The lab also has a long standing interest in cell adhesion, a fundamental process that is critical for embryo development and maintenance of mature tissues. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are anchored in the surface of cells and can link cells to adjacent cells and to the extracellular scaffold that surrounds cells by binding to specific receptors. In the nervous system, CAMs are important for cell adhesion as well as cell migration; both processes are critical for the formation of intricate neural networks that mediate higher brain function. Our experiments are providing a better understanding of the function of CAMs and their implications for the design of new strategies to repair damage to the nervous system. Nr-CAM and neurofascin play critical roles in myelination and formation of the node of Ranvier and we have found that fragments of these CAMs inhibit node formation in a culture model of node development. We are currently analyzing various cells including olfactory ensheathing cells for their ability to ensheath and myelinate axons.
The lab is located in The W.M. Keck Center for collaborative Neuroscience http://keck.rutgers.edu/center/center.html and the Rutgers Stem Cell Research Center http://scrc.rutgers.edu/