Education

B.A., Molecular and Cell Biology (Neurobiology) University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 1999
Ph.D., Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience), Emory University, Atlanta GA, 2007
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, 2007-2009
1st year FIRST Postdoctoral Fellow, 2009 - present

Research Statement

I am interested in the genetic and molecular mechanisms associated with neuroprotection and repair. The Ford lab has shown that Neuregulin 1β (NRG-1) is neuroprotective in in vitro and in vivo models of stroke. Currently, I am investigating the regulation of transcriptional activators and repressors which are associated with the genes down-regulated by NRG-1 in our stoke models.  My goal is to determine if these transcription factors have a functional role in promoting neuroprotection by NRG-1.

Additionally, the Ford lab has preliminary data indicating that NRG-1 is neuroprotective in an in vivo model of nerve agent exposure.  The mechanisms associated with this neuroprotection are unknown.  Thus, I am also investigating the neuroprotective mechanisms of NRG-1 in and in vitro model of nerve agent exposure.

Overall, these studies may reveal potential therapeutic agents and mechanisms associated with stroke and nerve agent exposure.  Also, these projects may indicate that the transcription factors associated with NRG-1 treatment can exhibit neuroprotective effects which can be applied to other models of brain injury. 

Publications

Pulliam, J.V., Dawaghreh, A.M., Alema-Mensah, E., Plotsky, P.M. (2009) Social defeat stress produces prolonged alterations in acoustic startle and body weight gain in male Long Evans rats.  J Psychiatr Res. 2009 Jun 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Pulliam, K.F., Fasken, M.B., McLane, L.M., Pulliam, J.V., Corbett, A.H. (2009) The classical nuclear localization signal receptor, importin-alpha, is required for efficient transition through the G1/S stage of the cell cycle in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics.181(1):105-18. PMCID: PMC2621159

Croslan, D.R., Schoell, M.C., Ford, G.D., Pulliam, J.V., Gates, A., Clement, C.M., Harris, A.E., Ford, B.D. (2008) Neuroprotective effects of neuregulin-1 on B35 neuronal cells following ischemia. Brain Res. 1210:39-47. PMCID: PMC2442468

Neuroscience Institute
Morehouse School of Medicine
720 Westview Drive S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30310
Tel: 404.756.5790
Fax: 404.752.1041
Email jpulliam@msm.edu