Research Labs
Our mission is to generate therapies for people who suffer from chronic paralysis and neurologic loss due to devastating injury, stroke or degenerative disease. The Center for Neuroregeneration is comprised of laboratories with expertise in neural stem cell biology, neural activity and stimulation, robotics, cell growth, myelin and the genetic regulation of plasticity.
- ASTROCELLULAR THERAPEUTICS LAB
The Astrocellular Therapeutics Lab is specifically focused on understanding the functional relationship of human neurons and astrocytes in normal and injured states. We employ novel three-dimensional human pluripotent stem cell-based culture techniques, optogenetic methods, electrophysiology, transplantations, and molecular/biochemical approaches to answer vital questions and accelerate progress in neuroregeneration including cellular engraftment therapy and drug discovery.
Principal Investigator: Robert C. Krencik, PhD
- BRAIN PERIPHERY RESEARCH LAB
The Brain-Periphery lab is focused on the pursuit of novel neurorestorative treatments for debilitating brain injuries to open the door to alternative therapies that repair and recovery in the damaged brain through the periphery. Our research interests are mainly focused on the elucidating of mechanisms of cell death, gliosis, inflammation, and neurogenesis via models of brain damage (ischemia and trauma), and how inflammatory mediators connect the brain with the periphery.
Principal Investigator: Sonia Villapol, PhD
- CEREBROVASCULAR RESEARCH LAB
The Cerebrovascular Research Laboratory studies brain microcirculation in normal and pathological conditions. The brain is critically dependent on continuous and adequate blood supply for normal functioning, so such catastrophic events like stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage not only damage the brain, but they lead to abnormalities of cerebrovascular circulation which may aggravate the consequences of the perpetrating event.
Principal Investigator: Gavin W. Britz, MBBCh, MPH, MBA, FAANS
- GLIOBLASTOMA RESEARCH LAB
The Glioblastoma Research Lab is involved in diverse projects that address basic and translational biology of brain cancers, with a primary focus on glioblastoma (GBM). Our basic science interests revolve around the role of the Twist1 transcription factor as a regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GBM. In keeping with its role in metastatic EMT in carcinomas Twist1 promotes invasive and stem cell phenotypes in GBM. These hallmark properties are central to GBM malignancy and treatment resistance. Therefore we are unraveling the basic mechanisms Twist1 function in hopes of identifying novel approaches to target Twist1 function and EMT in GBM.
Principal Investigator: Robert Rostomily, MD
- NEUROEPIGENETICS LAB
The Neuromodulation & Recovery Lab is focused on the development of neuromodulatory strategies to promote functional recovery and mobility after neuromuscular disorders and injuries, including stroke and spinal cord injury. We employ a wide variety of approaches and techniques in our research, which include epidural and transcutaneous spinal stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, as well as electromyography, kinematic analysis, posturography, and neuroimaging.
Principal Investigator: Yi-Lan Weng, PhD
- NEUROMODULATION & RECOVERY LAB
The Neuromodulation & Recovery Lab is focused on the development of neuromodulatory strategies to promote functional recovery and mobility after neuromuscular disorders and injuries, including stroke and spinal cord injury. We employ a wide variety of approaches and techniques in our research, which include epidural and transcutaneous spinal stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, as well as electromyography, kinematic analysis, posturography, and neuroimaging.
Principal Investigator: Dimitry Sayenko, MD, PhD
- NEUROPLASTICITY & REPAIR LAB
The mission of the Neuroplasticity & Repair Lab is to generate therapies for people who suffer from chronic paralysis and neurologic loss due to devastating injury, stroke or degenerative disease. The lab specializes in neural stem cell biology, neural activity and stimulation, robotics, cell growth, myelin and the genetic regulation of plasticity. Signature projects include a focus on restoration of locomotor and sensory function through neural stimulation and promotion of innate regenerative capacity through cell and gene therapy.
Principal Investigator: Philip J Horner, PhD
PEAK BRAIN AND PITUITARY TUMOR CENTER
The long-term goals of Dr. Baskin’s laboratory are to elucidate the DNA mechanisms in various types of neurological disease and to develop novel diagnostics and treatments for primary brain tumors and an autistic spectrum disorder. Dr. Baskin has recently developed methodologies to quantify the levels of different types of DNA damage and of labeled antibody staining in the field of fluorescence microscopy, using a new type of labeled tissue phantoms.
Principal Investigator: David S. Baskin, MD, FAANS, FACS
- BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH LAB
Our laboratory’s main focus is to understand the mechanisms that regulate self-renewal, transformation, and therapy resistance in brain cancer stem cells from glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. We are interested in the roles of developmental signaling pathways ( Notch, SHH, Wnt, and the Hippo pathways) and novel regulators of glioma stem cells we identified.
Principal Investigator: Kyuson Yun, PhD
THE HOUSTON INSTITUTE FOR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE (THINK) LAB
The Houston Institute for Neuropsychological Knowledge (THINK) laboratory, studies the neurobiological basis of human behavior using neuropsychological, neuroimaging e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), neurophysiological, and sensory psychophysical methods to better understand the impact of the disease on the brain.
Principal Investigator: Mario F. Dulay Jr., PhD
CLINICAL TRIALS - Nervous System Diseases