PAUL GASSER, PH.D.

Paul Gasser received his Ph.D. in Biology from Arizona State University in 2005. He was then awarded a National Science Foundation International Research Fellowship to conduct his postdoctoral studies in the United Kingdom, at the University of Bristol’s Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology. In 2007, Dr. Gasser joined the faculty at Marquette University in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Work in his laboratory is focused on elucidating the signaling pathways through which stress hormones and monoamine neurotransmitters alter the structure and function of neuronal and glial cells with the hope of learning how these signaling pathways contribute to successful adaptation to stress, and how dysregulation of these pathways contributes to disease. In addition to his research activities, Dr. Gasser teaches courses in biochemistry and neuroscience to undergraduate and graduate students.

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“Glucocorticoid hormones including cortisol and corticosterone are released from the adrenal glands in response to stress. Together with norepinephrine and other monoamine neurotransmitters, glucocorticoids play key roles in generating appropriate responses to stress by reshaping the physiology of neuronal and glial cells in the brain. While these modulatory substances are necessary for normal adaptation to stress, dysregulation of glucocorticoid and noradrenergic signaling increases the risk for pathological conditions ranging from neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders to cancer. The primary goals of my research are to identify the mechanisms by which norepinephrine and glucocorticoids interact to alter cellular function; and to understand how these mechanisms may contribute to the detrimental effects of chronic stress.  The hope is that this research will increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders, and that it will lead to the development of novel, effective treatments for these disorders.” 

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​Lab personnel:

• Graduate students: Jenree Maglasang, Brendan Fosgitt 

• Technician: Michael Szymanski

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​Current projects:

• Subcellular localization and signaling by adrenergic receptors in neuronal and glial cells 

• Adrenergic regulation of gene expression and physiology in normal astrocytes and glioma cells.