Photini-Effie Tsilibary

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Credentials

PhD

Research Summary

My main research focuses on mechanisms leading to neuronal cell insult and loss in neurodegenerative conditions. I have worked with neuronal cell cultures and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and have developed new transgenic mice overexpressing in the brain a protein/enzyme (metalloproteinase-9) which protects against cognitive deficits by rescuing survival signaling pathways in cortical cells isolated from the AD mice. To investigate in depth different mechanisms involved in neuronal cell dysfunction and loss in neurodegenerative conditions, I have developed a cell culture system using neuroblastoma and primary neuronal cells which are exposed to serum from patients with neurocognitive symptoms (patients with Gulf War Illness/GWI, multiple sclerosis/MS, subjects with cognitive decline, etc.), in order to examine serum-mediated adverse effects. These studies include the examination of signaling pathways important for cytoskeletal (Rho, -Rock, -LIM kinase signaling) and mitochondrial integrity (mitochondrial membrane potential), cell membrane integrity, etc. Main survival pathways mediated by growth factor receptors (TrkA, TrkB, IR, etc.) are also examined. The goal is: a) to identify potential pathogens in the serum of patients with neurocognitive symptoms; b) to eventually develop means to interfere with neuronal cell dysfunction and neuronal cell loss by preventing compromise of vital survival pathways for brain cells.