Expert Profile
Aileen Anderson
Director of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center
Dr. Anderson is an expert on stem cell research, with a focus on spinal cord and traumatic brain injury.
Areas of Expertise
- Glioblastoma
- Stem Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Spinal Cord Injury
Biography
Dr. Anderson’s research is focused on two principal goals. First, investigating the interactions of transplanted stem cell populations within the injured niche, including the role of the evolving inflammatory microenvironment in neural stem cell fate and migration decisions. This work has recently revealed a role for novel neuroimmune signaling pathway in glioblastoma stem cell biology. Second, investigating the role of inflammatory mechanisms in degeneration and regeneration in the injured CNS; particularly the role of the innate immune response and application of biomaterials to promote functional regeneration. Research in Dr. Anderson’s laboratory bridges the junction between seeking to understand mechanism at the basic neuroscience level, and identifying translational neuroscience strategies to ameliorate the cellular and histopathological deficits associated with SCI to promote recovery of function.
Media
Media Appearances
Can We Rebuild the Spinal Cord? These Scientists Are Redefining What's Possible
Inverse, 3/2/2023
$5.5M grant awarded for spinal stem cell research
Becker's Spine Review, 12/1/2021
Campus labs produce sample-preserving fluid for COVID-19 test kits
University of California, 4/16/2020
Campus labs making sample-preserving fluid for COVID-19 test kits
UCI News, 4/7/2020
Traumatic CNS injury and the inflammatory stem cell niche: an interview with Aileen Anderson
NeuroCentral, 10/2/2019
Healing from within
UCI News, 5/14/2018
Stem cell researchers receive $1.6 million from CIRM for spinal cord injury studies
UCI News, 12/22/2017
Articles
Polycistronic Delivery of IL-10 and NT-3 Promotes Oligodendrocyte Myelination and Functional Recovery in a Mouse Spinal Cord Injury Model
Tissue Engineering Part A, 1/1/1970
PLG Bridge Implantation in Chronic SCI Promotes Axonal Elongation and Myelination
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 1/1/1970
Intravascular innate immune cells reprogrammed via intravenous nanoparticles to promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1/1/1970
Neutrophils Induce Astroglial Differentiation and Migration of Human Neural Stem Cells via C1q and C3a Synthesis
J Immunol, 1/1/1970
Preclinical Efficacy Failure of Human CNS-Derived Stem Cells for Use in the Pathway Study of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Stem Cell Reports, 1/1/1970
Systemic Neutrophil Depletion Modulates the Migration and Fate of Transplanted Human Neural Stem Cells to Rescue Functional Repair
J Neurosci, 1/1/1970
Achieving Informed Consent for Cellular Therapies: A Preclinical Translational Research Perspective on Regulations Versus a Dose of Reality
J Law Med Ethics, 1/1/1970
Biomaterial Bridges Enable Regeneration and Re-Entry of Corticospinal Tract Axons Into the Caudal Spinal Cord After SCI: Association With Recovery of Forelimb Function
Biomaterials, 1/1/1970
Education
University of California, Irvine
PhD, Biology, Neurobiology, 1996
University of Illinois, Urbana
BS, Bioengineering, 1987
Accomplishments
- UCI Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship
Affiliations
- Society for Neuroscience
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- International Society for Stem Cell Research