Maria Irene Givogri

My research interests aim to identify and characterize the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the formation and maintenance of oligodendrocytes and myelin in the brain in the context of health and disease. We are particularly interested in determining the role that deregulated lipid raft-associated sphingolipid sulfatides exert on key signaling pathways of gliogenesis. Our recent study on exosomal regulation of the Platelet-derived fibroblast receptor alpha-PGFRα- (Pituch et al. JBC. 2015) prompted us to evaluate further the role of extracellular vesicles as bioactive carriers of signals in demyelinating disease and gliomas. Research on extracellular vesicles represents a novel area with significant basic and translational potential. These studies will be the foundation of our long-term goal of defining novel or improved therapeutic approaches for glial associated conditions including Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Gliomas.