Felix Eckenstein

Biography

Prof. Felix Eckenstein has received his PhD in biochemistry, University of Basel, Switzerland. Currently, he is working as professor in University of vermont. He has successfully completed his Administrative responsibilities as professor. His research has included cellular responses of the nervous system to environmental toxins and drugs.

Research Interest

I am focused on studying the molecular and cellular responses of the nervous system to environmental toxins and drugs. One project investigates the effect of Methyl Mercury (MeHg) on the differentiation of neural stem cells. We have shown in cell culture that very low sub-cytotoxic doses of MeHg enhance cytokine induced STAT3 phosphorylation, which results in enhanced expression of target genes such as GFAP, and promotes glial differentiation. We are now testing whether MeHg exposure has a similar effect in vivo. A second project investigates the role of prototoxins, such as Lynx1 and Lynx2, in the response of cortical and basal forebrain neurons to nicotine. These prototoxins are thought to associate with and modulate the activity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. We are currently evaluating the morphological and molecular effects of nicotine exposure in prototoxin knockout mice. This project is carried out in collaboration with Dr. Rae Nishi in Neurological Scieces. I am also interested in developing a program to evaluate the ffects of environmental toxins and drugs neural plasticity in humans. We are currently investigating the effects of chemotherapy on peripheral nerve fiber density and morphology. This project is a collaboration with Dr. Rup Tandan in Neurological Sciences.