Contribution of plasmablasts in the conversion of transverse myelitis to multiple sclerosis

The Stowe lab has established an in vitro stroke model of oxygen/glucose depravation (OGD) in mixed cortical cultures, which include neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and endothelium, as well as a model of in vitro glutamate excitotoxicity. We will help with establishing these experiments in the Monson lab and oversee any trouble-shooting. We will help establish methods to quantify of MAP2+ neurons and neuronal arborization—both of which speak to the health of the neurons present in the culture. We can also use these cultures to identify CNS targets of rhAbs by immunohistochemistry, which we are currently establishing in collaboration with your team. Finally, I will help in data analyses, publication writing, and future grant applications that may arise from this work.