Dr. Jyoti Watters Lab
Our research focuses on delineating the role of the MAP kinase pathways in controlling microglial cell production of inflammatory mediators, and how hypoxia and hypoxia and reperfusion injury modulate the activity of purinergic P2 receptors for extracellular ATP and their signaling pathways. Selective alterations in the activity of purinergic receptors may provide a novel therapeutic target that can be exploited to minimize damage to the brain following ischemic injury.
Other goals of our research center on delineating the anti-inflammatory effects of estrogen on microglial cell activation at the molecular level, by dissecting the signal transduction pathways and receptors that are modulated by estrogen in activated microglial cells. Defining the molecular mechanisms involved in the estrogen modulation of microglial cell activation and their production of inflammatory mediators, may lVisad to the identification of novel therapeutic targets that can be exploited to minimize the brain damage ensuing from neurodegenerative diseases and other brain disorders, to which women are predisposed.
Visit the Watters Lab website: http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/cbs/watters2/index.htm