B.S., Michigan State University Ph.D., Florida State University

Developmental neurobiology; Stem cells. Human adult stem cells from bone marrow and adipose tissue can be grown in tissue culture. Several differentiation protocols using growth factors and chemical inducers can transform these cells into a variety of tissues. We are trying to transform the cells into bone, cartilage, fat, and neurons. The role of the extracellular matrix in the growth and differentiation of these cells is being studied. In addition, we are examining the role of the extracellular matrix in the normal development of the nervous system.

Christensen, D. W., Kisling, R., Thompson, J. and Kirby, M. A. 2001. Deferoxamine Toxicity in Hepatoma and Primary Rat Brain Cultures. Human and Experimental Toxicology, 20: 365-372. Spier, R.A. and Thompson, J. 2001. Developing a database of pollen images. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 7, Suppl. 2: 462. Thompson, J.M. 1999. Remote Microscopy - Current Status and Future Promise. Micro. Res. Tech. Thompson, J. M., L Kinne, and R. Iacono. 1994. Identification of cell types in cultured explants of cryopreserved human fetal brain tissue. Microscopy Research and Technique, 29: 496. Thompson, J. M., R. Preci, and R. Iacono. 1993. Morphology of human fetal brain cultures. Microscopy Research and Technique, 26: 172. Thompson, J. M. and S. W. Norby. 1992. Morphological comparison by scanning electron microscopy of transient retina-muscle synapses and long-lived spinal cord-muscle synapses. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 38: 327-336.