The main focus of our laboratory is to develop ways to diagnose and grade neuropathy or nerve injury. Our current focus is on visualizing and quantifying the nerves in skin, especially in epidermis and sweat glands. Using fluorescent antibodies to Protein Gene Product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) we are able to stain the nerve fibers of the epidermis. Using a confocal microscope we can then produce digital images of the epidermal nerve fibers and, with the help of computer software, derive such quantities as number of nerve fibers, length, and number of branch points.
Much of our research has concentrated on quantifying nerves in a skin biopsy. But we are currently developing a method for the quantification of nerves in a skin blister. This is a much less invasive procedure and because the sample obtained is pure epidermis, it could potentially be a more useful diagnostic tool.
New:
Methods to
Diagnose and Evaluate Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy -
Images illustrating our newest upcoming project.
Quick
non-invasive confocal screen for diabetic neuropathy.
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