Department Of Neurosurgery Research Program

The Department of Neurosurgery has a proud record of research accomplishments. We have investigated or have been involved with research ranging from the development of Linac Radiosurgery, improving the design of football helmets to reduce traumatic brain injury, transplantation of fetal cells for the amelioration of Parkinsonian symptoms to developing drug and immunology delivery systems to malignant brain tumors.  Currently, our research encompasses stem cell research, neuro-oncology and neuro-vascular issues.  

Dr. Stephen Davies' research interests are primarily focused on investigating the molecular and cell biology of the traumatically injured adult central nervous system.  His research team at UCDHSC is currently developing two, complementary approaches to repairing the injured adult CNS: 1.) suppression or removal of scar tissue to promote axon growth across sites of injury and 2.), development of neural precursor (stem cell-like) technologies to generate different types of central nervous system glia suitable for repairing the injured brain and spinal cord.
For more detailed information about Dr. Davies' research, please click here.

Research in Dr. Jeannette Davies’ lab is focused on the development of treatments for malignant gliomas. Gliomas produce several unique cell surface and extra-cellular matrix proteins that allow them to grow rapidly, subvert the body’s normal immune system response, and invade (migrate through) normal brain tissue. Many of these proteins are also likely to be involved in the metastasis of peripheral tumors, such as lung cancer or melanoma, into the brain. Therefore we are working to identify and characterize these proteins, and test the ability of different peptides and synthetic molecules to block their function. We also work closely with Dr. Stephen Davies and his laboratory to develop treatments for traumatic spinal cord and brain injury.

Dr. Judith Gault is in the midst of investigating the the genetic componets of  cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs).  CCM’s are a common genetic disease (0.5% of the population harbors them) predisposing patients to a lifetime risk of hemorrhagic stroke and epilepsy.  Germline mutations have been identified in three genes.  We have recently discovered several biallelic somatic and germline CCM1 truncating mutations in the vascular endothelial cells of CCMs.  Somatic mutations appear to be a fundamental mechanism of lesion formation and will likely explain the relationship between heritable and sporadic CCM lesions.  The types of somatic and heritable mutations may related propensity of a lesion to bleed and clinical manifestations.