ABSTRACT Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease in the world, can be caused by mutations scattered along the full length …
The goal of this thesis was to use non-invasive quantifiable MR parameters of volume, signal intensity and T2* relaxation time to predict the biomechanical or …
Inhibitory interneurons are essential for normal cortical function. They prevent seizures, regulate temporal and spatial coding, and generate oscillations and synchrony in pyramidal cells. The …
Unlike birds and insects, bats fly using compliant and slender membrane wings. Membrane wings offer negligible bending stiffness, and thus when they experience aerodynamic load, …
Theropod dinosaurs offer an excellent opportunity for the study of the evolution of locomotion. Since theropods are the other major group of striding bipeds besides …
This dissertation attempted to elucidate the role of - and -defensins in JCPyV infection, determine a mechanism of action of HD5-mediated JCPyV neutralization, and to …
Fungal pathogens utilize a variety of strategies to adapt to environmental cues and to thrive in different host niches. This includes phenotypic switching, in which …
Humans have a unique opposable thumb that maintains a fine balance between mobility and stability to allow motions that span from precision handling to power …
Cell-based therapy is a promising treatment option for central nervous system (CNS) disease and injury, but therapy strategies require optimization to achieve clinical improvement. The …
Prions are proteins that can adopt multiple distinct and stable conformations, a properly folded form and a collection of misfolded or prion forms that are …
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical post-transcriptional regulator which silence mRNAs in a precise, highly regulated manner. They are essential for the development and maintainance of skeletal …
In mammals the natural pigment melanin gives color to the skin, eyes, and hair, and provides protection against harmful solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Despite its …
Sleep is critical for recovery from stress, optimal learning, and viability. However, many genetic pathways involved in sleep regulation are poorly defined. The nematode Caenorhabditis …
We develop three new models of neurovascular coupling at each interface of the neurovascular unit. The neurovascular unit comprises neurons, microvessels, and astrocytes, a type …
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Chronic …
Complement Receptor 3 (CR3), a β2 integrin found on neutrophils, plays an important role in fungal recognition and immune response. Co-ligation of CR3 with fibronectin …
Candida species are a group of opportunistic fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening illness in the immunocompromised, but typically inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract as a …
Aging is generally defined as the progressive and time-dependent loss of function accompanied by increasing vulnerability to diseases and mortality. In particular, aging is associated …