Welcome to the Brown Lab at the West Virginia University School of Medicine! We are members of of the Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, and Center for Basic and Translational Stroke Research, with a joint appointment in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology

The Brown laboratory studies brain-immune interactions that occur in acute and chronic systemic inflammation, with an emphasis on the brain-microvascular interface. Current studies address how brain microvascular endothelial cells integrate systemic and CNS inflammatory responses to maintain cerebral homeostasis through the enzyme tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP).

We combine animal models of ischemic stroke, sepsis, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with in vitro brain endothelial cell models to address our research questions. The goal of our research is to identify the short-term and long-term repercussions of acute systemic inflammatory conditions, including stroke, sepsis and AD, as well as uncover some of the sex-specific factors that contribute to neurological dysfunction and disease. Please peruse our recent publications to learn more about our exciting research!

Postdoctoral position available in stroke research! The research project will focus on brain and gut endothelial cell dysfunction in ischemic stroke. These studies will contribute to our lab’s overall goal of understanding the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) activity in the central and enteric nervous system. Please peruse our Research page on TNAP and the blood-brain barrier for additional background and relevant publications. See posting at SfN Neurojobs for more information.

Lab News: