Long-term research aims at the role of inflammatory and oxidative stress in the CNS largely responsible for the degeneration of neuronal connectivity and ultimate decline and loss of cognitive function in the aging and diseases including neurotropic infectious agents such as HIV or SARS-CoV2. Specifically, investigations focus on elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking actin cytoskeleton dynamics and organization, redox homeostasis (NADPH oxidases), and sphingolipid metabolism (sphingomyelinases) at the plasma membrane/cytosol interface (lipid rafts) and the consequences for the integrity and plasticity of neuronal connectivity. Celluar model systems include rodent neurons as well as human neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells of iPSCs by direct conversion. Moreover, a natural products-guided drug-discovery approach is integrated into these approaches to illuminate potential novel therapeutic strategies to blunt inflammatory and oxidative damage with the goal to rescue or protect the maintenance, regeneration, and development of neuronal connectivity.Targeted lipid raft manipulation through botanicals establishes a novel intervention/prevention approach with applications for a wide range of disorders exacerbated by inflammatory and oxidative stress beyond the CNS including cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes type II, infectious diseases, as well as normal aging processes (Cereon Biotechnology LLC).

Development of nutraceutical with strong anti-inflammatory properties in the central nervous system

Molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory and oxidative stress in the aging and diseased central nervous system with a focus on the protein-lipid interface at the plasma membrane.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Injured Central Nervous System

Molecuar and Cellular Mechanisms of Neuronal Regeneration and Neuronal Inflammation

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neuronal Regeneration and Cytoloskeleton Dynamics