Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

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.

Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Toxicology