Jeffrey A. Johnson
Position title: Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Email: jeffrey.johnson@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-2893
Department:
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Education:
M.S. in Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, USA
Ph.D. in Toxicology and Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
Postdoctoral in Molecular Neurobiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Research Description:
The goals of my research are to determine the potential for Nrf2 to be a viable therapeutic target in the prevention of neurotoxicity and treatment of neurodegenerative disease. We have ongoing studies using mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), nerve degeneration/regeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We use multiple transgenic mouse models of neurodegenerative as well as cell–specific transgenics overexpressing Nrf2 to study the effects of Nrf2 on neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. In addition, the laboratory developing viral–mediated gene delivery of Nrf2 as a potential therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disease. Finally, we are attempting to identify novel Nrf2 activating molecules that cross the blood–brain–barrier and attenuate the development and/or progression of neurodegenerative disease. Identification of multiple new classes of molecules (either synthetic or natural products) that activate the Nrf2 pathway has the potential to impact a wide range of neurotoxic insults and neurological diseases.
Research Key Words:
Molecular Neuropharmacology, Neurodegenerative Disease, Neurotoxicity, Nrf2-ARE Pathway