Johns Hopkins University, Department of Neuroscience
 

 

 

 

Mahendra  Rao, MD/PhD

Associate Professor of Neuroscience (NIA/NIH)

Telephone Number:   (410) 558-8204

Lab: (410) 558-8543

Fax Number:   (410) 558-8249

 

Bayview Campus

National Insititue on Aging

333 Cassell Drive, Room 406A

Baltimore, MD 21224-6825

Room:

raomah@grc.nia.nih.gov

Stem Cell Biology

     My group focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the proliferation, differentiation and survival of neural progenitor cells in the brain and spinal cord during development and in the adult. This research is based firmly on the concept that the same signaling mechanisms that regulate development and plasticity of the nervous system are altered during aging and in age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Accordingly, an understanding of developmental mechanisms is likely to lead to novel approaches to preventing and treating neurological disorders of aging. Ongoing research is divided into four interrelated areas: 1) Signal transduction mechanisms regulating the proliferation, differentiation and survival of embryonic stem cells and pluripotent neural stem cells. 2) Cellular and molecular alterations that occur in neural stem cells during aging and in age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. 3) Elucidation of the mechanisms whereby environmental factors such as diet, and intellectual and physical activity affect neural stem cells. 4) Development of novel stem cell therapy-based approaches for repairing the aging and diseased nervous system.



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