Colin Willis publishes article in ‘Neuroscience’

Colin Willis, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology, authored an article that was published online on July 8, 2013.  “Partial recovery of the damaged rat blood–brain barrier is mediated by adherens junction complexes, extracellular matrix remodeling and macrophage infiltration following focal astrocyte loss,” will soon be released in print in Neuroscience.

The article describes research that demonstrates that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is not a static barrier; but rather, it is highly dynamic in response to injury. The research also demonstrates that complex interactions occur between various cell types and the extracellular matrix surrounding the leaky blood vessels to form a temporary barrier.

Studies are now looking at intracellular signaling mechanisms that result in the opening and closing of the BBB. These studies are important to the understanding of demyelinating disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, as well as stoke and traumatic brain injury.

The study included research by Ryan Camire ’15 and Stephanie Brule ’14.

51СƳ the University of 51СƳ

The University of 51СƳ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.