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Free Radical Biology and Aging Research Program

Meet the scientists in this program

Full Staff Listing

In Situ Hybridization Core Facility

Scientists in this program conduct basic research utilizing free radical biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and biological imaging on in vivo experimental animal models. Our goal is to understand age-associated diseases at the basic level.

Specific research projects relate to the basic biomedical problems involved in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer development, atherosclerosis, septic shock and diabetes. The role of age and the contribution of oxygen and nitric oxide free radicals in inflammatory processes in the development of these diseases represents a major underlying thrust of our research.

Novel observations and discoveries made possible by new bioanalytical methods and approaches developed by researchers in this program have provided clear evidence that localized inflammatory-type processes play a significant part in most age-associated diseases. Discoveries of the neuro-protective activity of specific nitrones, as well as some natural products, have led to active commercial development of new therapeutics for stroke, AIDS dementia and ALS. The role of age and how genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to dysfunctional signaling, cellular integration and homeostasis in the development of age-associated diseases remain the primary themes for future research efforts.

With the addition of OMRF's magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facility, our researchers will have a powerful new tool for investigating neurologic diseases. This MRI will allow OMRF scientists to visualize animal models in real time and to view the genetic and therapeutic changes the new approaches bring about.