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Research

The Department of Neurosurgery is currently pursuing initiatives in basic, translational, and clinical research. Translating research findings from the laboratory setting into the clinical practice is a great strength of University of Minnesota Physicians. Patients directly benefit with access to the latest clinical trials and treatments.

Current Research Themes:

  • Neural Stem Cells to treat neurological disorders such as ischemic brain injury and Parkinson's disease
  • Gene transfer and therapy systems for treating brain tumors, degenerative neurological diseases and spinal disorders.
Pictured at left: Glioblastoma cell line can be transfected nonvirally using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon Vector System. Shown are transfected cells labeled with blue.

Pictured at right are Neural stem cells isolated from the adult mouse brain which can be cultured in vitro for experimental and therapeutic purposes.
  • Bile acids such as tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) to prevent neuronal loss in conditions such as stroke, Huntington's disease, and spinal cord injury.
  • Cellular and Gene Therapy for spinal disorders are in progress, including treatment of spinal metastases.
Pictured at left: Triple immunofluorescence staining of mouse brain showing nonviral gene transfer to endogenous neural stem cells in the subventricular zone; green = luciferase reporter gene, red = nestin neural stem cell marker, blue = vimentin neural stem cell marker.
  • The transport properties of the CNS is being studied through the blood brain barrier. Along these lines, arachnoid cell behavior is one focus in this area of research.


  • Opening the Blood-Brain Barrier and administration of Targeted Toxins and anticancer vaccines to concentrate therapy directly on the tumors.

Learn more about ongoing research projects at the University of Minnesota.