Department of Physiology and Biophysics of the School of Medicine-University of Puerto Rico

 

 
PI Jorge D. Miranda Jorge D. Miranda
Position Associate Professor
Education Post-doctoral Training: Univ. of Miami School of Medicine
(Miami Project to Cure Paralysis): 1996-1998
PhD: Baylor College of Medince-Neuroscience (1996)
MS: UPR-Rio Piedras, Biology (1990)
BS: UPR-Rio Piedras, Biology (1988)

 

 

Research Interests

Our research interest is in the area of developmental neurobiology, specifically on nerve regeneration and axonal outgrowth. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) results in a series of time-dependent structural and physiological changes at the site of the trauma producing a non-permissive environment for axonal outgrowth. The focus of this laboratory is to analyze at the mRNA and protein level the temporal and spatial expression of molecular signals with repellent properties that may be upregulated after SCI, inhibiting axonal elongation. At the present, we are investigating the expression of purinergic-, estrogen- and Eph-receptors and its ligands the ephrins after SCI. In addition, we are interested in determine the possible role that these receptors play in the non-favorable environment for axonal regeneration and function recovery. Molecular biology, protein biochemistry, neuroimaging traicing strategies, physiological recordings and behavioral assays are used in conjuction with injured rats at the T10 level to analyze the expression of these proteins. Defining the specific temporal and spatial expression of individual inhibitory molecules, both on the regenerating fibers and in the local microenvironment, may lead to novel therapeutic strategies to enhanced regeneration and functional recovery after SCI.

 

Laboratory of Nerve Regeneration

Our research interest is in the area of nerve regeneration. The focus of this laboratory is to analyze at the mRNA and protein level the temporal and spatial expression of molecular signals with repellent properties. These signals may be up-regulated after spinal cord trauma inhibiting axonal elongation and synapse formation. Our focus is at several levels:

Molecular Cellular Anatomic Physiologic Behavioral

 

Lab Members

Aranza Torrado Senior Laboratory Manager
Ana Rodríguez Graduate Student
Laurivette Mosquera Graduate Student
Jose Santiago Graduate Student
Odrick Rosas Graduate Student
Luz Arocho Graduate Student

 

Recent Publications

  1. Cruz-Orengo L, Figueroa,D, Torrado A, Puig A,,Whittemore SR and Miranda JD (2007) Reduction of EphA4 receptor expression after spinal cord injury does not induce axonal regeneration or return of tcMMEP response. Neurosc. Lett. 418, p.49-54

  2. Willson CA, Foster RD, Onifer SM and Whittemore SR and Miranda JD (2006) EphB3 receptor and ligand expression in the adult rat CNS. J. Mol. Histol. 37(8-9), p.369-380

  3. Cruz-Orengo L, Velázaquez I, Torrado A, Ortiz C, Hernández C, Puig A, Segarra A, Whittemore SR and Miranda JD (2006) Blocking EphA4 upregulation after spinal cord injury results in enhanced chronic pain. Experimental Neurology. 202, p.421-433

  4. Figueroa JD, Benton R, Willson CA, Velázquez I, Torrado A, Ortiz C, Whittemore SR and Miranda JD (2006) Inhibition of EphA7 Upregulation after spinal cord injury reduces Apoptosis and Promotes Locomotor Recovery. J. Neurosc. Res. 84(7), p. 1438-51.

  5. Irizarry-Ramírez M, Willson CA, Cruz L, Figueroa JD, Velázquez I, Jones H, Foster R, Whittemore SR and Miranda JD (2005) Upregulation of EphA3 Receptors After Spinal Cord Injry. J. of Neurotrauma 22(8), p.929-935.

  6. Silva WI, Maldonado HM, Velázquez G, Rubio-Dávila M, Miranda JD, Aquino E, Mayol N, Cruz-Torres A and Salgado-Villanueva IK (2005) Caveolin isoforms expression during differentiation of C6 glioma cells. Internat. J. of Develpmental Neuroscience 23, p. 599-612

  7. Willson CA, Miranda JD, Foster RD, Onifer SM and Whittemore SR (2003) Transection of the adult rat spinal cord up-regulates EphB3 receptor and ligand expression. Cell Transplantation 12(3), p. 279-290

  8. Willson CA, Irizarry-Ramírez M, Gaskins HE, Cruz-Orengo L, Figueroa JD, Whittemore SR and Miranda JD (2002) Upregulation of EphA Receptor Expression in the Injured Adult spinal Cord. Cell Transplantation 11(3): p.229-239

  9. Miranda JD, White LA, Willson CA, Marcillo A, Jaggid J and Whittemore SR. (1999) Induction of Eph B3 after spinal cord injury. Exp.Neurol. 156, p.218

  10. Miranda JD and Barnes EM, Jr. (1997) Repression of GABA A Receptor a1 Polypeptide Biosynthesis Requires Chronic Agonist Exposure. J. Biol. Chem. 272 (26), p.16288-16294.

  11. Miranda JD, Sin-Chieh L, Díaz ME and Barnes EM, Jr. (1997) Developmental Expression of Chick GABA A Receptor a1 subunit in vivo and in vitro. Dev. Brain Res. 99, p.176-186.

  12. Renaud FL, Chiesa R, De Jesús JM, Lopez A, Miranda JD and Tomassini N. (1991) Hormones and Signal transduction in Protozoa. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 100A (1), p. 41-45. PubMed Entry

Laboratory Rm. Number: A-682

Phone Number: (787)758-2525 ext. 1631

Email: jdmiranda@rcm.upr.edu

 

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