Dr. Ryan Fryer is a postdoctoral
researcher with us. He has a background in whole animal cardiovascular
physiology and pharmacology. He recently received his Ph.D. in pharmacology
and toxicology from the Medical College of Wisconsin where he studied
the signal transduction mechanisms responsible for cardioprotection
when opiate-like compounds are administered into the heart prior
to ischemia. Dr. Fryer brings to us a solid foundation in understanding
cellular and molecular biology and physiology.
The focus of Dr. Fryer's research is to determine
what types of genes are essential to stem cell differentiation.
In particular, he is focusing on which genes are important in maintaining
neural stem cells in an undifferentiated state as well as committing
them to a specific phenotype. Examples of which are dopaminergic
neurons versus seritonergic neurons. To visualize which proteins
are being expressed during differentiation, cytochemical techniques
will be used in parallel. The end goal of this research is to benefit
patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease,
that may benefit from stem cell transplant therapy.
By understanding what genes are important to neural
progenitor cell differentiation, drugs or chemical compounds that
stimulate these genes' function, stability or expression can be
designed to direct the differentiation of these cells to a specific
phenotype. The different mechanisms or mode of action will be tested
in animal models to determine at the cellular and genetic mechanism.
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