B.S., Virginia Tech, 1984
M.D., University of Virginia, 1988
Ph.D., Neuroscience, University of Alaska, 1996

gah9r@virginia.edu

Research Interests

Our research laboratory, located in the Department of Neurosurgery, is involved with the development of gene therapy techniques for the treatment of neurosurgical disorders. One major project involves the use of bone morphogenetic protein gene therapy for the induction of bone, cartilage, tendon, and ligament formation. We are currently utilizing several different viral transduction systems to maximize gene expression while limiting the host immune response.

In a separate study, genetically modified fibroblasts are being constructed containing inducible promoters to control expression of various growth factors. These cells will be utilized to induce healing of intracranial aneurysms and decubitus ulcers. The inducible promoter system will control cellular proliferation to prevent cellular hypertrophy at the treatment sites.

Recent Publications

Hankins GR, Sasaki T, Lieu AS, Saulle D, Karimi K, Li JZ, Helm GA
Identification of the deleted in liver cancer 1 gene, DLC1, as a candidate meningioma tumor suppressor.

Sifri CD, Park J, Helm GA, Stemper ME, Shukla SK
Fatal brain abscess due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300.

Alden TD, Hankins GR, Beres EJ, Kallmes DF, Helm GA
Bone morphogenetic protein gene therapy for the induction of spinal arthrodesis.

Pei H, Wang Y, Miyoshi T, Zhang Z, Matsumoto AH, Helm GA, Tellides G, Shi W
Direct evidence for a crucial role of the arterial wall in control of atherosclerosis susceptibility.

Li H, Li JZ, Helm GA, Pan D
Non-invasive imaging of firefly luciferase reporter gene expression using bioluminescence imaging in human prostate cancer models.