Ron Kalil, PhD

Education
BA, Harvard College
MS, Tufts University
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Interests
When the brain is damaged, injured neurons die and typically are not replaced. This cell death frequently results in a loss of function by the affected region of the brain. However, if neurons that have died could be replaced and their connections rebuilt, normal function might be restored. There are two possible approaches available to achieve this goal. One involves transplanting neural stem cells to the injured brain, and then coaxing them to differentiate into new, functionally appropriate neurons and glial cells. The second approach acknowledges that new neurons are produced in the brain throughout life, and endeavors to encourage these newly generated neurons to replace those that have died. Dr. Kalil’s laboratory is investigating both of these approaches.

In previous work, Dr. Kalil’s lab has shown that embryonic neural stem cells transplanted to the injured adult brain will survive and differentiate into neurons and glial cells. Currently, they are studying methods to enhance the survival and integration of transplanted cells. In parallel with this research, they have discovered that cells in several areas of the adult brain express the cytoskeletal protein nestin. This suggests that these cells may be neural stem cells or have stem cell-like properties. They now are characterizing these nestin-positive cells in detail as a first step in determining whether they may be capable of functioning as endogenous neural stem cells.

The research underway is conducted in vitro and in vivo, and spans molecular neurobiology to systems neuroscience. However, all of it converges on a common goal; to restore behavioral function that has been compromised or lost because of brain injury by replacing cells that have died and rebuilding appropriate neural connections.

Publications
PubMed Listing of Publications