Gary Brook

PD Dr. G.A. Brook – Neuroregeneration group

 

Main research interests:

  • The study of neural cell-engineered substrate interactions in vitro.
  • Development of in vitro organotypic models to study aspects of neuronal degeneration and protection, axon regeneration and remyelination.
  • Development and assessment of cell- and bioengineering-based intervention strategies to promote functional tissue repair in vivo models of traumatic nervous tissue injury (PNS and CNS).
  • The use of post-mortem human spinal cord samples for correlative investigations of lesion-induced changes in experimental animal tissues and in lesioned human tissues.

 

Main teaching activities:

  • Master’s course in Biomedical Engineering
    • Basic human anatomy and medical terminology.
    • Optional course in neuroscience.
    • Practical course in neuroanatomical techniques.
  • Cellular and Molecular Neurosciences.
    • Lectures, practicals and seminars in neurotraumatology and regenerative medicine.

 

Selected original articles:

  • Altinova H et al., (2014) Functional improvement following implantation of a microstructured, type-I collagen scaffold into experimental injuries of the adult rat spinal cord. Brain Res. 1585: 37-50.
  • Gerardo-Nava J et al (2014) Spinal cord organotypic slice cultures for the study of regenerating motor axon interactions with 3D scaffolds. Biomaterials. 35:4288-4296
  • Gerardo-Nava J et al. (2013) Differential pattern of neuroprotection in lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spinal cord segments in an organotypic rat model of glutamate excitotoxicity. J Chem Neuroanat. 53:11-7.
  • Cantinieaux D et al., (2013) Conditioned medium from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells improves recovery after spinal cord injury in rats: an original strategy to avoid cell transplantation. PLoS One. Aug 27;8(8):e69515.
  • Bozkurt A et al., (2012) The role of microstructured and interconnected pore channels in a collagen-based nerve guide on axonal regeneration in peripheral nerves. Biomaterials. 33(5):1363-75.
  • Bockelmann, J., K. Klinkhammer, A. von Holst, N. Seiler, A. Faissner, A. Brook, D. Klee, and J. Mey (2011). Functionalization of Electrospun Poly(epsilon-Caprolactone) Fibers with the Extracellular Matrix-Derived Peptide GRGDS Improves Guidance of Schwann Cell Migration and Axonal Growth. Tissue Eng Part A 17:475-86
  • Führmann T et al., (2010) Cell-cell interactions of human neural progenitor-derived astrocytes within a microstructured 3D-scaffold. Biomaterials. 31:7705-7715.
  • Montzka K et al., (2010) Expansion of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: serum-reduced medium is better than conventional medium. Cytotherapy 12:587-592.
  • Koopmans GC et al., (2009) Acute rolipram/thalidomide treatment improves tissue sparing and locomotion after experimental spinal cord injury. Experimental Neurology 216: 490-498.

 

Selected reviews

  • Deumens R et al., (2010) Repairing injured peripheral nerves: bridging the gap. Progress in Neurobiology. 92(3):245-76
  • Führmann T et al., (2010) Tissue Engineering: Central Nervous System. In Tissue Engineering. Eds Pallua N, Suschek C. Springer Verlag, London, Heidelberg.