Michael R. Taylor
Position title: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Email: michael.taylor@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-1939
Department:
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Education:
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Postdoctoral in Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Postdoctoral in Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
Research Description:
My laboratory’s most recent efforts are focused on the development and function of the blood–brain barrier and neuroinflammation using zebrafish as the model organism.
Given the clinical significance of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), it is surprising how little is understood about the molecular mechanisms that regulate BBB formation and maintenance. This gap in fundamental knowledge could be closed by the development of an animal model suitable for in vivo imaging and high-throughput genetic and small molecule screening strategies. To solve this problem, we have generated transgenic zebrafish to visualize the BBB in vivo and to identify novel modulators of BBB function. The overall goal our research is to discover innovative strategies for drug delivery into the central nervous system.
Research Key Words:
Blood-Brain Barrier, Neuroinflammation, Zebrafish Models, Drug Delivery Strategies