I
completed my PhD at the University of Cambridge, under the supervision
of Michael J Schell and Robin F Irvine. I joined the Roskams lab
in January 2008 in order to work on the roles of matricellular proteins
in CNS development and repair. SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic Rich
in Cysteine; osteonectin) is a matricellular protein that is widely
expressed in tissues undergoing remodelling and repair. It binds
extracellular matrix molecules and growth factors, thereby regulating
processes such as migration, proliferation, differentiation and
angiogenesis, however, its role in CNS repair is not well understood.
A proteomics screen designed to identify secreted factors produced
by olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) that are capable of supporting
neural tissue repair produced SPARC as a strong candidate (Au et
al, 2007). Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that SPARC has
a role in enhancing specific axon tract sprouting /in vitro /and
after OEC transplantation into the injured spinal cord. We have
since reported that SPARC is a dynamically regulated, glial-derived
factor in the developing and mature nervous system, and is localized
in radial glia, brainstem astrocytes, microglia, peripheral glia,
and brain barriers (Vincent et al, 2008). My current project focuses
on the importance of SPARC for microglial functioning in the normal
and challenged CNS, including following stroke and during development
of multiple sclerosis. I am currently supported by MS Canada.
I
completed my PhD at the University of Cambridge, under the supervision
of Michael J Schell and Robin F Irvine. I joined the Roskams lab
in January 2008 in order to work on the roles of matricellular proteins
in CNS development and repair. SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic Rich
in Cysteine; osteonectin) is a matricellular protein that is widely
expressed in tissues undergoing remodelling and repair. It binds
extracellular matrix molecules and growth factors, thereby regulating
processes such as migration, proliferation, differentiation and
angiogenesis, however, its role in CNS repair is not well understood.
A proteomics screen designed to identify secreted factors produced
by olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) that are capable of supporting
neural tissue repair produced SPARC as a strong candidate (Au et
al, 2007). Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that SPARC has
a role in enhancing specific axon tract sprouting /in vitro /and
after OEC transplantation into the injured spinal cord. We have
since reported that SPARC is a dynamically regulated, glial-derived
factor in the developing and mature nervous system, and is localized
in radial glia, brainstem astrocytes, microglia, peripheral glia,
and brain barriers (Vincent et al, 2008). My current project focuses
on the importance of SPARC for microglial functioning in the normal
and challenged CNS, including following stroke and during development
of multiple sclerosis. I am currently supported by MS Canada.