Penelope Coates, Ph.D.
| Associate Professor | penelope.coates@ttuhsc.edu |
Biography
- B.S., St Lawrence University, 1955
- M.M.A., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 1957
- Ph.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 1969.
Research Interests
Neuroscience - long-term interests in two related areas: the role of adult mammalian neural stem/progenitor cells in the central nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases of aging.
Characterization of adult neural stem/progenitor cells is an on-going project that could provide fundamental insights into the basic neurobiology of such cells. Basic research might provide clues as to whether these cells might be employed therapeutically to treat at least some neurodegenerative diseases of aging including Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) that currently have no prospect of cure. Capitalizing on adult cells should avoid potential complex legal and ethical issues that surround the use of embryonic tissues. Since etiologies of AD, PD and ALS are still not well understood, it is critical to establish the biochemical bases of these diseases. In collaboration with a biochemical colleague, Dr. Jo Everse, the possibility that peroxidases may be involved is being investigated.
Recent Publications
- Gage, F.H., P.W. Coates, T.D. Palmer, H.G. Kuhn, L.J. Fisher, J.O. Suhonen, D.A. Peterson, S.T. Suhr, J. Ray (1995) Survival and ifferentiation of adult neuronal progenitor cells transplanted to the adult brain. Proc. Natl Acad Sci. 92: 11879-83.
- Coates, P.W., L.L. Murphy, S. Thode, R.L. Norman, and F.H. Gage (1996) Neurons cultured from adult hypothalmus express LHRH, LHRH mRNA, and release LHRH. Soc. Neurosci. Abs. 22:1344
- Everse, J. and P.W. Coates (2004) The cytotoxic activity of lactoperoxidase: enhancement and inhibition by neuroactive compounds. Free Radical Biol. & Med. 37 (6):839-849.
- Everse, J. and P.W. Coates (2005) Role of peroxidases in Parkinson disease: A hypothesis. Free Radical Biol. & Med. 38:1296-1310.&