Oluwagbemisola Aderibigbe
BME PhD Proposal Presentation

Date: 2023-04-10
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Location / Meeting Link: UAW 3115 (McIntire Conference Room) / https://emory.zoom.us/j/95892333648

Committee Members:
Susan Margulies, Ph.D. (Advisor); Levi Wood, Ph.D. (Co-advisor); Michelle LaPlaca, Ph.D.; Manu Platt, Ph.D.; Erin Buckley, Ph.D.; Christopher Giza, M.D.


Title: Integrated Analysis of Porcine Brain Transcriptional and microRNA Profiles Following Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract:
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can cause poor neurological outcomes and cognitive deficits that affect the academic, behavioral, and emotional aspects of a child’s life. Despite decades of clinical and pre-clinical studies, there is still limited holistic understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with acute and persisting neurological pathophysiology following mTBI. Therefore, my objective in this study is to use transcriptional profiling at multiple timepoints to examine changes in mRNAs, microRNAs, and pathways altered by brain injury. Specifically, by utilizing a rapid non-impact head rotation piglet mTBI model, I will identify differentially expressed mRNAs in the brain associated with primary and secondary molecular pathophysiological changes during the acute (24 hours) and persisting (7 days) phases of mTBI (Aim 1). Secondly, because a recent study from the Margulies Lab has shown that administration of an immunosuppressive drug, Cyclosporine (CsA), 20 mg/kg/day for 24 hours, beginning 6 hours following mTBI can improve pathophysiological outcomes, such as axonal injury and mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction, I will identify a subset of mRNAs and pathways modulated by CsA administration in the brain (Aim 2); and lastly, due to role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating mRNA function, I will establish mRNA-miRNA response linkages modulating both primary and secondary molecular pathophysiological cascades in the brain following mTBI (Aim 3). Elucidating transcriptional patterns associated with pathophysiological hallmarks of mTBI will facilitate our long-term goal to create opportunities to design diagnostics and novel therapeutic strategies which can assist in improved outcomes after mTBI.