My research is in the field of cellular neurobiology. Experiments on human cortical astrocytes isolated in tissue culture are conducted in my lab in an attempt to better understand astrocyte function and nervous system physiology. In particular, astrocytic differences when exposed to protein forms that accumulate in neurodegenerative disease states compared to control conditions are of interest. Another line of research are studies on adult astrogenesis in mouse models. Local astrocyte proliferation is a normal process within the cortex, and determining the function and factors that stimulate or reduce this process could help understand cortical function, astrocyte domains and neural-astrocyte communication. In association with these studies, we are researching assays to assess cell specific protein levels within nervous tissue. Cells are excised individually with Laser Microdissection, and protein expression from an aggregate of cell specific tissue can be calculated in order to provide insight into possible astrocyte specific biomarkers.

Mohn T.C. and Koob A.O. (2015) Adult astrogenesis and the etiology of cortical neurodegeneration. Journal of Experimental Neuroscience. 4;9(Suppl 2):25-34. PMID: 26568684 Koob, A.O., Shaked, G., Bender, A., Bisquertt, A., Rockenstein, E., Masliah, E., (2014) Neurogranin binds α-synuclein in human superior temporal cortex and interaction is decreased in Parkinson's disease, Brain Research, 1591:102-110. PMID: 26568684. Bender, A., Desplats, P., Spencer, B., Rockenstein, E., Adame, A., Elstner, M., Laub, C., Mueller, S., Koob, A.O., Mante, M., Pham, E., Klopstock, T., Masliah, E. (2013) TOM-40 mediates mitochondrial dysfunction induced by α-synuclein accumulation in Parkinson’s disease, PLoS One, 8(4):e62277. PMID:23626796. Koob A.O. (2013) Protein level analysis from specific cell types in heterogeneous tissue. Recent Advances in Proteomics Research, Nova Science, ed. Ming Li. Series: Protein Biochemistry, Synthesis, Structure and Cellular Function. Koob, A.O., Bruns, L., Prassler, C., Masliah, E., Klopstock, T., and Bender, A., (2012), Protein analysis through Western blot of cells excised individually from human brain and muscle tissue with Laser Capture Microdissection, Analytical Biochemistry, 15;425(2):120-4. PMID:22402104. Koob A.O., Ubhi K., Paulsson J.F., Kelly J., Rockenstein E., Mante M., Adame A. and Masliah E., (2010) Lovastatin ameliorates α-synuclein accumulation and oxidation in transgenic mouse models of α-synucleinopathies. Experimental Neurology 221: 267-274. PMID:19944097. Koob A.O., Paulino A.D. and Masliah E. (2010) GFAP reactivity, apolipoprotein E redistribution and cholesterol reduction in human astrocytes treated with α-synuclein. Neuroscience Letters 469: 11-14. PMID:19932737. Koob, A.O., Harris, B.T. and Duhaime A.C. (2008) Cellular genesis in the postnatal piglet, International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 26 (6): p. 641-646. PMID:18508228. Bar-On, P., Crews, L., Koob, A.O., Mizuno, H., Adame, A., Spencer, B., Masliah, E. (2008) Statins reduce neuronal α-synuclein aggregation in in vitro models of Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurochemistry 105 (5): p. 1656-67. PMID:18248604.