Michael Beattie, PhD

415-206-3859

michael.beattie@ucsf.edu 

Research Interests:

• Neural development, plasticity and regeneration
• Spinal cord injury and recovery of function
• Cellular basis for neural growth and cell death
• Neural transplantation
• Spinal cord reflexes
• Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and behavioral neuroscience

Research Goals:

Ongoing projects include:

1. Studies of neurological damage and recovery after spinal contusion injuries. These experiments involve the development of sensitive behavioral measures for assessing recovery of function, as well as studies in which potential treatments for human cord injury are tested in an animal model.
2. Studies of cell death and regeneration after CNS injury, emphasizing the cellular events that determine which cells die, and whether new cells and regenerating axons can contribute to repair
3. Neural transplantation: glial restricted precursor cells and engineered fibroblasts are transplanted into contusion lesions.
4. In vitro studies of microglia, oligodendrocytes and neurons

These projects represent studies of different, but related aspects of neural development, plasticity, degeneration and repair. A long-term goal of the Beattie and Bresnahan laboratories is to contribute knowledge that may be useful in establishing better treatments for neurological disorders, especially spinal cord injury.

Beattie and Bresnahan Laboratories

Research Techniques:

Their laboratories use a variety of techniques to study plasticity and recovery of function. Collaborations with several other laboratories offer additional training opportunities. Current projects include the use of the following devices and techniques: electron and light and confocal microscopy, routine molecular biology techniques, immunohistochemistry, tissue culture, behavioral analysis, EMG recording and telemetric pressure recordings, and live-cell imaging techniques.

Education: 

PhD: Michigan State University, Dr. Stephen Kitai