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Research Associate (Assistant Professor)
Kennedy Center for Mental Retardation
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Contact Information
773-702-9355 — Phone
773-702-9234 — Fax
mdxx@uchicago.edu
Selected Publications
View a partial list of
Miriam Domowicz’s publications through the National Library of Medicine's PubMed online database
Research Interests
One of the most critical steps during neural stem cell differentiation is the decision to generate neuronal or glial progenitors. In most regions of the central nervous system (CNS) neurogenesis precedes gliogenesis. Study of the generation of glial cell types, in particular astrocytes, has been hindered by the lack of markers for their precursors and by their extensive migratory pathways. We are interested in studing the gliogenesis process by understanding the quality of extracellular matrix (ECM) that glioblasts produce and how that ECM influences the differentiation process. In particular, two proteoglycans aggrecan and brevican are expressed in the developing brain ventricular zone during the critical period of generation of glial precursors. Our goal is understand how these molecules influence glioblast migration and differentiation using a variety of experimental approaches in vivo and in culture. We are also interested in the transcription factors responsible for regulating the switch in the nature of extracellular matrix being produced during the specification of the glial progenitors. So far we have identified at least one possible important transcription factor SOX-9 involved in this process. Our long term goal is to better understand the gliogenesis process which will ultimately foster approaches to control the composition of the ECM that the glioblasts produce after injury, thereby aiding regeneration.
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