Research Interests

Spinal cord injury, central nervous system (CNS) development and regeneration.

Research Area

The work in my lab is focused on studying CNS repair and regeneration in response to spinal cord injury. We use Xenopus laevis and tropicalis frogs as a model system because they have the ability to regenerate their spinal cords as tadpoles, but fail to do so as adult frogs. This decline in CNS regenerative capacity with progressing development is observed throughout the vertebrate subphylum, from amphibians to mammals. In Xenopus embryos, we have easy access to all stages of embryonic development, beginning at the single cell stage, which facilitates genetic manipulations that are very difficult in “higher” vertebrates. In addition, their rapid development and transparent skin (albino tadpoles) allow us to identify anatomical and phenotypic differences that result from genetic and small molecule manipulations. Using classic and cutting edge histological, molecular biology, and cell transplantation techniques, our goal is to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of successful CNS regeneration, with hope that our findings will contribute to further understanding failed CNS regeneration in humans.

Current Members

Gibbs, Kurt M (Principal Investigator/Director)

Contact

Institution: Morehead State University

Address:
Morehead State University
150 University Blvd.
Lappin 423
Morehead, KY
40351, USA

Personal Phone: 6067832932

General/Lab Fax: 6067835002