Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

two lab assistants inject tubes with liquid.

Projects work toward the development of novel drug and cell therapy for the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and myelin diseases of children such as leukodystrophies.

Project description

Our lab’s research is focused on the development of neural stem and progenitor cells in the human brain. Our long term goal is the development of novel drug and cell therapy for the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and myelin diseases of children such as leukodystrophies. Human glial progenitors are a type of stem or progenitor cell that can give rise to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the brain. These cells are important regulators of nervous system signal transduction and regulate many physiological processes, for example oligodendrocytes are responsible for the production of the axon insulating sheath known as myelin. Oligodendrocyte progenitors are very important in human diseases as they are can elicit a repair process known as remyelination which replaces lost myelin in the adult brain. Undergraduate research in the Sim lab will vary depending on the assigned project but will typically involve immunofluorescence assessment of cell and tissue cultures and brains of mice transplanted with human cells. Students will be expected to shadow and assist other lab members (graduate students and staff) while learning techniques and then assigned semi-independent projects. Previous students have received research awards, attended national scientific meetings, and several have advanced to graduate study at UB and elsewhere.

Project outcome

The specific outcomes of this project will be identified by the faculty mentor at the beginning of your collaboration. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment To be determined by student/mentor
Start time Fall, Spring, Summer
In-person, remote, or hybrid?
In-person
Level of collaboration To be determined by student/mentor
Benefits Academic Credit, Volunteer, Work Study
Who is eligible All students
Goldwater and the National Science Foundation

Students participating in this project might be interested in and eligible for the Goldwater Scholarship and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Connect with the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships to learn more.

Project mentor

Fraser Sim

Associate Professor; Neuroscience Program Director

Pharmacology and Toxicology

955 Main St., Room 3256, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Phone: (716) 829-2151

Email: fjsim@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 

Preparation activities

The specific preparation activities for this project will be customized through discussions between you and your project mentor. Please be sure to ask them for the instructions to complete the required preparation activities.

Keywords

Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Toxicology