Associate Dean for Foundational Research, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professor and Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Department of Neuroscience
Director of Research, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury
Belford Family Endowed Chair in Spinal Cord Injury
Faculty Affiliate, Chronic Brain Injury
Faculty Affiliate, Foods for Health
694 Biomedical Research Tower
460 W. 12th Ave.
dana.mctigue@osumc.edu
Research Focus
My laboratory uses rodent preclinical models of spinal cord injury (SCI) to examine the endogenous reparative response within the spinal cord, and systemic and metabolic problems that occur as a result of the injury. Specifically, we study the response of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (NG2+ cells) to SCI, including intracellular and extracellular factors that influence their behavior and their ability to form new remyelinating oligodendrocytes.
Our systemic studies revealed marked and chronic liver pathology occurs after SCI that is consistent with the development of fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome, a feature that is common in the SCI population and likely contributes to their reduced lifespan. We are examining mechanisms that drive chronic post-injury liver inflammation and testing translatable approaches to reduce liver pathology and improve overall liver and metabolic health after SCI.
Approaches
We use clinically-relevant models of SCI in rodents and use multiple behavioral assays to examine recovery of functions. We also use histological techniques including confocal and light-sheet microscopy, molecular techniques and are beginning to perform -omics projects.
Education and Training
PhD: Ohio State University, Department of Physiology, 1995
Post-doc: Ohio State University, Dr. Bradford Stokes’ lab
Research Scientist: Ohio State University