Research Keywords:
- _Drug Discovery and Development
- _ Peptidomimetic drugs based on alpha1/alpha2/alpha4 integrin receptor inhibition
- _Neurotrophins and Neuroprotection
- _Neuronal progenitors and neuronal differentiation
- _Toxins and neurotoxicology
Research Highlights:
We are investigating neuronal and non-neuronal pharmacological activities of nerve growth factor (NGF), focusing on the role of its receptors trkA, p75NTR and α9β1-integrin and their signaling in neuroprotection, angiogenesis and neural tumor development. We are isolating and characterizing from Israeli scorpions and snake venoms unique toxins that may serve as lead compounds towards novel drug development. We are collaborating with medicinal chemists from our institute in preclinical research aimed to develop new peptide drugs for autoimmune inflammatory and neurological diseases. Intensive efforts are dedicated towards cell and biologics therapy of neurological disorders using human umbilical cord stem cells.