Physiology

THOMAS V. GETCHELL, Ph.D. Professor Ph.D. Northwestern University, 1969 Office: SB-309, Sanders Brown Center on Aging 0230 Tel: (859) 257-1412 ext. 321 Lab: SB-309 Tel: 257-1412 ext. 319 E-mail: tgetche@uky.edu

A major focus of research in our laboratory is to elucidate the inter- and intra cellular signaling mechanisms associated with the genomic regulation of macrophage recruitment leading to progenitor cell proliferation, neurogenesis, and regeneration in the olfactory sensory epithelium Target ablation is used to synchronize: the apoptotic cell death of olfactory sensory neurons, the recruitment and activation of macrophages, the phagocytic clearance of cellular debris, the transformation of quiescent progenitor cells by macrophage-derived chemokines, cytokines and growth factors leading to their entry into the cell cycle and neurogenesis. Our physiological genomic and bioinformatics analyses of expression profiles have identified the regulated expression of novel genes associated with inter- and intracellular signaling mechanisms.

A second focus is to elucidate the molecular basis of aging in the olfactory sensory system using the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) as a biogerontological resource leading to leading to fundamental insights into the aging process when compared with other murine models. Genomic and proteomic techniques are being used to identify genes and proteins whose differential regulation is associated with chronological aging.

Gene expression arrays together with statistical and bioinformatics analyses are used extensively to identify and analytically characterize gene profiles. Cellular and molecular methodologies including immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, ELISA and real-time RT-PCR are used to validate the results of genomic analyses. Our results have indicated that assay-based gene profiling is a useful technology to discover novel expression profiles of candidate genes associated with tissue remodeling and aging in the olfactory sensory system.

In addition to intellectual and scientific skills, the development of oral and writing communication skills is strongly encouraged to achieve professional goals.

Recent publications:

Vaishnav, R.A., Getchell, M.L., Huang, L., Hersh, M.A., Stromberg, A.J., Getchell, T.V. (2008) Cellular and molecular characterization of oxidative stress in the olfactory epithelium of the Harlequin mutant mouse. J. Neurosci. Res. 86:165-182.

Borders, A.S., Hersh, M.A., Getchell, M.L., van Rooijen, N., Cohen, D.A., Stromberg, A.J., Getchell, T.V. (2007) Macrophage-mediated neuroprotection and neurogenesis in the olfactory epithelium. Physiol. Genomics 31:531-543.

Borders, A.S., Getchell, M.L., Etscheidt, J.T., van Rooijen, N., Cohen, D.A., Getchell, T.V. (2007) Macrophage depletion in the murine olfactory epithelium leads to increased neuronal death and decreased neurogenesis. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:206-218.

Bondada, S., Chelvarajan, L., Popa, D., Liu, Y., Collins, S., Getchell, T., Stromberg, A. (2007) Molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory phenotype of neonatal splenic macrophages. J. Leukoc. Biol. 82:403-416.

Vaishnav, R.A., Barnett, K.R., Getchell, M.L., Poon, H.F., Hunter, S.A., Pierce, W.M., Klein,J.B., Butterfield, D.A., Getchell, T.V. (2007) Oxidative stress in the aging murine olfactory bulb: Redox proteomics and cellular localization. J. Neurosci. Res. 85:373-385.

Other Publications