Brain Barrier Research Center:
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Advancing Brain Barriers Research
William Elmquist, John Ohlfest, Lester Drewes, et al.
University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Medical School
Decisions limited by available data at specific sites
input
output
exchange
IV
ICV,
IT
plasma
Mission
bolus IC, CED
brain
capillaries
extracellular
fluid
choroid plexus
arachnoid membrane
neuronal
and
glial cell
membranes
intracellular
fluid
ependyma
pia mater
cerebrospinal fluid
Compartmental model for solute exchange in the brain
• MCT1 and GLUT1
transporter regulation
•
Targeted drug
delivery to the CNS
•
Drug transport
proteins
•
Pharmacokinetics
The mission of the Brain Barriers Research Center
(BBRC) is to improve therapy delivery and treatments
of brain disorders by fostering interdisciplinary brain
barrier research.
• BBB molecular
biology
• Brain vasculogenesis
Goals
•
•
Role of BBB
transporters
in Alzheimer's
disease
BBB function in
CNS disorders
The Brain Barriers Research
Center (BBRC) is a distinctive,
cutting edge University of
Minnesota research group
involving members in the College
of Pharmacy and the Medical
School in the Academic Health
Center (Duluth and Twin Cities).
Twenty-two faculty are
involved in research ranging
from genetic factors in
hibernation
to synthesis of neuroactive
pharmaceutics.
BBRC Web Site:
Expertise
•
•
•
•
Basic Science to Clinical Practice
Experimental Models
Pharmacokinetics/
pharmacodynamics
High throughput screening/assay
develop
•
•
•
•
In situ brain profusion techniques
In vitro to in vivo
MRI/MRS to microdialysis
Blood-brain transport
quantification
University Collaborative Resources
• Institute for Translational Neuroscience (www.itn.umn.edu)
• Center for Translational Medicine (www.ahc.umn.edu/ctm)
• Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (www.cmrr.umn.edu)
• Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development
• Regulation of drug efflux
transporters at the BBB
• Improving therapies
for CNS diseases
Current Projects
• Neurosurgery
• Gliomas
• Blood brain barrier
modification
•
•
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•
Epilepsy
Stroke
Brain tumor (glioblastoma, GBM)
Alzheimers Disease
CNS virus
Parkinson’s Disease
Glucose transporter deficiency syndrome
www.pharmacy.umn.edu/bbrc
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.