
Donald Sakaguchi
Pronouns
he/him/his
Position
- Morrill Professor
- Director, Biology and Genetics Undergraduate Programs
Research in our lab is focused on developing experimental strategies for brain and tissue rescue and repair. As a potential therapy for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and injury, stem cells have been proposed as unique sources of transplantable cells to provide neuroprotection and to replace degenerating neurons and glial cells.
We are using this strategy and developing novel methods for neuroprotection and neuroregeneration using transplantation of multipotent stem cells [mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural stem/progenitor cells] genetically engineered to release neurotrophic factors with a future goal towards autologous transplantation to treat nervous system injury and disease. Engineering stem cells ex vivo for neural repair strategies may ultimately provide a reliable means of long-term delivery of therapeutic factors.
We are using this strategy and developing novel methods for neuroprotection and neuroregeneration using transplantation of multipotent stem cells [mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural stem/progenitor cells] genetically engineered to release neurotrophic factors with a future goal towards autologous transplantation to treat nervous system injury and disease. Engineering stem cells ex vivo for neural repair strategies may ultimately provide a reliable means of long-term delivery of therapeutic factors.
Contact
Email
dssakagu@iastate.edu
Phone
515-294-3112
5205 Advanced Teaching and Research Building (ATRB)
2213 Pammel Dr
Ames
,
IA
50011-1101
Social Media and Websites
Education
- B.S., Biology, State University of New York, Albany
- Ph.D., Biology-Neurobiology, State University of New York, Albany
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, San Diego (UCSD)