The Tjalkens Laboratory investigates neuroinflammation and the role of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease. Projects are investigating the molecular regulation of innate immune inflammatory responses in brain glial cells, as well as the impact of exposure to environmental neurotoxins on the etiology of neurodegenerative disease. Additionally, we are examining how infection with neurotropic viruses triggers inflammation and protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders. Transgenic models and high content fluorescence imaging are central techniques used in our laboratory to study these phenomena.
research project
Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease
Innate immune signaling in glial cells results in production of neurotoxic inflammatory factors that are associated with neuronal injury and protein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease. We are using transgenic animal models and primary cultures of microglia and astrocytes to understand the molecular pathways regulating this inflammatory phenotype.
research project
Neurotoxicity of Heavy Metals
Neurotoxic levels of heavy metals such as manganese correlate with cognitive and behavioral impairment in both adults and children. This increases the risk for disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Using transgenic approaches to inhibit inflammatory signaling in glial cells, we are studying the role of neuroinflammation in responses to neurotoxic heavy metals.
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research project
Viral Models of Neurodegeneration
Viral infection can affect the central nervous system, increasing the risk for neurological disease. Projects are exploring environmental factors modulating the capacity of selected viruses to cause inflammatory injury to the brain, including such agents as H1N1 influenza, Western Equine Encephalitis Virus and SARS-CoV-2.
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research project
Molecular Regulation of Neuroinflammation
Studies are examining the molecular pharmacology of small molecule regulators of inflammation in glial cells that interact with nuclear receptors to inhibit inflammatory signaling through the NF-κB pathway.
Publications
Hammond SL, Bantle CM, Popichak KA, Wright KA, Thompson D, Forero C, Kirkley KS, Damale PU, Chong EKP, Tjalkens RB.
Toxicol Sci. 2020 Oct 1;177(2):506-520. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa115. PMID: 32692843
Bantle CM, Phillips AT, Smeyne RJ, Rocha SM, Olson KE, Tjalkens RB.
NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2019 Sep 13;5:20. doi: 10.1038/s41531-019-0090-8. eCollection 2019.
Kirkley KS, Popichak KA, Hammond SL, Davies C, Hunt L, Tjalkens RB.
Neurobiol Dis. 2019 Jul;127:193-209. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.02.020. Epub 2019 Feb 25.
Popichak KA, Afzali MF, Kirkley KS, Tjalkens RB.
J Neuroinflammation. 2018 Nov 21;15(1):324. doi: 10.1186/s12974-018-1349-4.
Hammond SL, Popichak KA, Li X, Hunt LG, Richman EH, Damale PU, Chong EKP, Backos DS, Safe S, Tjalkens RB.
J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2018 Jun;365(3):636-651. doi: 10.1124/jpet.117.246389. Epub 2018 Apr 6.
more publications
Lab members at Canvas Stadium in 2018
Front Range Neuroscience Meeting 2021: Lab presenters
Dr. Tjalkens with graduate student Savannah Rocha at the 2019 Mountain West Society of Toxicology Conference hosted by CSU chapter
Dr Tjalkens and Casey in BSL3 training
