Associate Professor

Graduate Training: University of Iowa
Fellowship: University of Iowa

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology
WVU School of Medicine
One Medical Center Drive
PO Box 9177 Health Sciences Center
Morgantown, WV 26506
t: 304-293-7208
f: 304-293-7823
e: jluo@hsc.wvu.edu

Research Interests

My research has two major directions. First, I have been studying the cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal development. In particular, I am interested in cellular/molecular events governing cell cycle and migration of neuronal precursors during the cerebellar development. We have recently demonstrated that MMPs play a critical role in the histogenesis of the postnatal cerebellar cortex. In addition to studying normal development, another important aspect of my research is to investigate the effects of ethanol on the developing CNS. It is known that alcohol exposure during development induces profound damages to the CNS and results in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). I am interested in elucidating the cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced neuronal depletion and disruption of cell migration. Both in vivo and in vitro neural models are employed to investigate effects of ethanol on intracellular signaling that regulates cell cycle, migration and apoptosis.

Expression of MMP-2/-9 in the developing cerebellum. Green: immunostaining of MMP-2/-9.