Samirkumar Patel Email & Phone Number

Lexington, Ky, Us

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

My research endeavors are focused on promoting neuroprotection following spinal cord injury (SCI) by targeting mitochondrial dysfunction. Specifically, the main goal of my ongoing studies is to characterize the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of secondary pathophysiology and tissue damage after contusion SCI in adult rats. Using sensitive biochemical assessments of isolated mitochondria, behavioral testing of injured animals, and long-term histological outcome measures, I am investigating the efficacy of mitochondrial (cell culture- or rat muscle-derived) transplantation alone and in combination with in vivo administration of novel pharmacological agents considered to maintain mitochondrial integrity, minimize secondary tissue damage, and to enhance functional recovery following contusion SCI. The ultimate goal is to translate these experimental findings into clinically-relevant therapeutic approaches to treat acute SCI.

My major responsibilities are:1) Design and carry out experiments: As a Principle investigator on one grant and collaborator on other three grant, I independently/along with my mentor, design the project and lead our research team to carry out the proposed experiments.2) Training: I directly supervise and train all the lab members including the lab technicians, research scientist, post-docs as well as graduate and undergraduates students with designing the experiments, different laboratory techniques, data analysis and interpretation. I teach/demonstrate laboratory techniques (spinal cord surgeries, perfusion, dissections, mitochondrial isolation and respiration, microinjections in to the spinal cord, cryopreservation and cryosectioning of the spinal cord tissue, staining for histology, assessment of damage and spared spinal cord tissue and neuronal counting). Writing grants and manuscripts: I write my own grants as well as help my supervisor/mentor in writing grants as collaborator/co-investigator. The other major responsibility is to write manuscripts.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biochemistry

Master'S Degree, Biochemistry

Bachelor'S Degree, Zoology/Botany/Chemistry