Members
Khadar Abdi Ph.D.
Position: Senior Research Associate Duke University
Areas of Interest: Developmental Biology, NPH, Post Hemorrhagic
Country: United States
Email: kma9@duke.edu
Areas of Interest: Developmental Biology, NPH, Post Hemorrhagic
Research focus:
I have studied the development and maintenance of multiciliated ependymal cells. These cells line brain ventricles to promote cerebrospinal fluid flow and their loss and/or improper development can lead to severe hydrocephalus. I discovered that Foxj1 is continually required to maintain multiciliated ependymal cell identity, and it is post-translationally degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. I additionally discovered that EGFR signaling inhibits the differentiation of radial glial progenitors into ependymal cells. I found EGFR trafficking was essential for discontinuing the signaling in a timely manner for ependymal differentiation to proceed.
