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Barbara Hempstead
Professor
Biography
Our lab has focused on defining the actions of the neurotrophin growth factors in the vasculature and in neurons. Although neurotrophins are best known for their survival and differentation-inducing actions on neurons, recent work indentifies critical functions in modulating synaptic activity and mediating cell death. Our current studies are focused on identifying (1) the biological actions of pro-neurotrophins in inducing apoptosis in response to injury and altering the development of the central nervous system; (2) the role of the neurotrophins BDNF and proNGF in regulating angiogenesis and vascular response to injury; and (3) mechanisms of neurotrophin release and processing from pro- to mature neurotrophin forms, thereby altering receptor specificity and biological action.