RESEARCH
The present research in neuroscience (Prof.D.Ganchrow) concentrates on the development of the peripheral gustatory system in terms of taste organ receptor (taste bud)-taste ganglion innervation relations. Both chick and hamster are used respectively as vertebrate and mammalian models.
Neuroanatomic, including immunocytochemical techniques are utilized in the study of the following:
- Neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor, and neural aspects related to the morphogenesis of the peripheral gustatory organ (taste bud) in the avian chick and rodential hamster: a vertebrate comparison.
- The role of signalling molecules (bone morphogenetic proteins; noggin) in the development of taste buds.
- Neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor analysis of fungiform taste buds that survive sensory denervation in the mature hamster.
- The effect of early embryonic geniculate ganglionectomy, and neurotoxicity (bungarotoxin) on taste bud development in the chicken (Gallus gallus var. domesticus). In collaboration with Prof. Mark C. Whitehead (University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,) and Dr. Judith R. Ganchrow (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel).
During the last few years work of the Prof. Chaim (Chagi) G. Pick. was focused on the several subjects:
- Characterization of opioid receptor subtypes, primarily by using pharmacologic tools;
- Studying the relationships between the opioid system and other modulator systems in order to find better ways to decrease pain;
- Development of animal models for Minimal Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) in order to develop new strategies to treat our human patients. We are using different types of substances in order to examine their neuroprotection effects. In addition, we are comparing sleep patterns between normal people and people suffering from minimal traumatic head injury. (In collaboration with Dr. Shaul Schreiber).
The effect of neuroactive steroid and benzodiazepines of the performance in the mouse staircase test (In collaboration with Prof. Ronit Weizman and Prof. Avi Wiezman).
Human Population Biology Research Unit:(Principal Investigators:Prof. Gregory Livshits; Prof. Eugene Kobyliansky (Y. Ben-David) The Unit contains two research laboratories:
- Laboratory of quantitative and epidemiological genetics;
- Biochemical laboratory.Currently the primary interests of our unit are focused on various aspects of skeletal aging, in particular on molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in this process.
The scientific interests of the unit are driven by such medical conditions as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Both are common age-related complex diseases with a strong genetic component.
The aims of the current research projects are:
- To determine the extent and pattern of various characteristics of skeletal aging, specifically bone mineral density (BMD), bone size and geometry characteristics, various traits reflecting the cartilage erosion and joints degeneration;
- To evaluate genetic component in variation of various biochemical factors involved in bone and cartilage metabolism, for example, calciotropic hormones, growth hormones, various cytokines (with special interest to OPG and M-CSF related factors), components of bone and cartilage matrix (e.g. osteocalcin, MMPs and TIMPs);
- To reveal complex physiological and biochemical relationships between skeletal traits and the above biochemical indices;
- To examine a number of candidate genes polymorphism and numerous anonymous genetic markers to find association between specific gene(s) or chromosomal regions and study primary phenotypes (skeletal traits and biochemical indices);
- To study potential genotype x environment (e.g. life style factors) interaction effect on the rate and pattern of skeletal aging;
- To develop new statistical tools including statistical packages for the aims of genetic analysis (e.g. model based linkage analysis, LD methods) of quantitative traits in human pedigrees.
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