Eliana Scemes, Ph.D.

Gap junctions and ATP purinerigic receptors are two components mediating calcium signaling in glial cells. These intracellular calcium transients modulate several cellular functions, including progenitor cell migration, release of transmitters from glial cells, and cell-to-cell signaling. Projects of the laboratory include the (1) evaluation of the contribution of these two groups of proteins to neural progentior cell migration and differentiation, (2) determination of the mechanisms of ATP release from progenitor and mature astroytes, and (3) contribution of pannexin1 and P2X7 receptors to neuroinflammation.