Biography
Professor Harris directs NEIL lab with over 25 years of experience with rodent CNS injury models and in particular using MRI and PET to assess structure and function. He received his B.Sc. in Biology/Neuroscience from University of Portsmouth in 1988, and his Ph.D. in Physiology from King’s College London in 1991. Dr. Harris’s early focus of research addressed the question of optimal timing for intervention after the diagnosis of infantile hydrocephalus. Prior to joining University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Dr. Harris received training in multimodality imaging techniques, including PET, structural MRI, fMRI, DTI, and Glucose/blood-flow autoradiography at Kings college University of London, University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute, the Royal College of Surgeons unit of Biophysics in the Institute of Child Health, and University of Cambridge Department of Neurosurgery. Subsequently, Dr. Harris conducted studies to address forebrain ischemic stroke looking at the potential use of non-invasive biomarkers to determine salvageable areas of brain. The studies were cited amongst primary reported findings on biophysical mechanism of the change in water diffusion after stroke. Dr. Harris currently resides as Professor in Residence of UCLA Department of Neurosurgery where he primarily conducts investigations on Traumatic Brain Injury and is the scientific director of UCLA 7T animal imaging core.
Biography
Mechanisms of Neural Repair Role of Trophic Factors on Activity-dependent Plasticity We are interested on the mechanisms by which environmental factors affect neuronal health. We have found that trophic factors endogenous to the brain and spinal cord can be induced by the practice of select behaviors. We have recently reported that physical activity, learning, and nutritional factors control neurotrophins in the brain. These findings opened the exciting possibility that regulation of trophic factors by behavior can be a pivotal mechanism by which specific experiences can impact the structure and function of the CNS. It may account for the improvement of CNS function after trauma provided by rehabilitative therapies. On the contrary, it may explain the decay in function in aging or degenerative diseases following a lack of stimulation. These two avenues provide direction for my research program: 1) How trophic factors induced by activity can help functional recovery following brain and spinal cord trauma. We are using several exercise models to boost the production of trophic factors in the brain and spinal cord. Our goal is to provide critical information to guide the design of behavioral therapies for the reduction of the severity of insult or disease, and to increase CNS function. 2) We are evaluating the effects of lifestyle on trophic factor production, with resulting effects on circuit remodeling, synaptic function, and cognition. We believe that changes in trophic factor as a result of select experiences can affect neuronal health with profound consequences for cognitive function.
Publications
A selected list of publications:
Lasky Joseph L, Panosyan Eduard H, Plant Ashley, Davidson Tom, Yong William H, Prins Robert M, Liau Linda M, Moore Theodore B Autologous tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell immunotherapy for pediatric patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent high-grade gliomas Anticancer research, 2013; 33(5): 2047-56.
Panosyan Eduard H, Ikeda Alan K, Chang Vivian Y, Laks Dan R, Reeb Charles L, Bowles La Vette, Lasky Joseph L, Moore Theodore B High-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem-cell rescue for pediatric brain tumor patients: a single institution experience from UCLA Journal of transplantation, 2011; 2011(5): 740673.
Lasky Joseph L, Choe Meeryo, Nakano Ichiro Cancer stem cells in pediatric brain tumors Current stem cell research & therapy, 2009; 4(4): 298-305.
Mehta Rupal I, Cutler Aaron R, Lasky Joseph L, Yong William H, Lerner Jason T, Hirota Brandon K, Salamon Noriko, Mathern Gary W, Vinters Harry V “Primary” leptomeningeal medulloblastoma Human pathology, 2009; 40(11): 1661-5.
Guo Wei, Lasky Joseph L, Chang Chun-Ju, Mosessian Sherly, Lewis Xiaoman, Xiao Yun, Yeh Jennifer E, Chen James Y, Iruela-Arispe M Luisa, Varella-Garcia Marileila, Wu Hong Multi-genetic events collaboratively contribute to Pten-null leukaemia stem-cell formation Nature, 2008; 453(7194): 529-33.
Ela-Dalman Noa, Arnold Anthony C, Chang Louis K, Velez Federico G, Lasky Joseph L Abducens nerve ocular neuromyotonia following non-sellar or parasellar tumors Strabismus, 2008; 15(3): 149-51.
Lasky Joseph L, Choi Eun Jun, Johnston Samantha, Yong William H, Lazareff Jorge, Moore Theodore Congenital brain tumors: case series and review of the literature Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology, 2008; 30(4): 326-31.
Lasky Joseph L, Liau Linda M Targeting stem cells in brain tumors Technology in cancer research & treatment, 2006; 5(3): 251-60.
Luu Quang C, Lasky Joseph L, Moore Theodore B, Nelson Scott, Wang Marilene B Treatment of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the sinus and orbit with chemotherapy, radiation, and endoscopic surgery Journal of pediatric surgery, 2006; 41(6): e15-7.
Guo Wei, Lasky Joseph L, Wu Hong Cancer stem cells Pediatric research, 2006; 59(4 Pt 2): 59R-64R.