My scientific approach utilizes rodent behavioral neuroscience methodology in conjunction with pharmacological manipulations and cellular/ molecular techniques (Golgi impregnation, immunohistochemistry, Western blots, qPCR). My students and I use in vitro cell cultures, ex vivo brain preparations and in vivo animal and human models to study endogenous and exogenous influences on neural structure and function. My ultimate teaching objectives in the lab are to develop research projects that are based on the collective strengths of both the student and teacher so that the outcome is a body of work that would not have come out of my lab if I were the sole contributor. My objectives in the lab are to help my students 1) learn the fundamental content of the task at hand, 2) develop the ability to think critically and 3) develop problem-solving strategies for life inside and outside the lab. In all research projects, graduate and undergraduate students are involved; in half of the published works, students are the lead authors. Students have learned valuable behavioural and molecular neuroscience skills exploring a variety of topics.
Eligible to supervise at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Over the last six years, the research in the Holahan Lab has centered around the use of an integrative neuroscience approach to study influences on neural structure and function in the context of behaviour. The following are some of the areas of focus:
Selection of DNA aptamers that prevent the fibrillization of α-synuclein protein in cellular and mouse models. Erin M McConnell, Dennis Chan, Katelyn Ventura, Joshua P Callahan, Kathryn Harris, Vernon H Hunt, Spencer Boisjoli, Daniel Knight, Evan T Monk, Matthew R Holahan, Maria C DeRosa. Molecular Therapy: Nucleic Acids Vol. 35 September 2024.
ß-Amyloid as a Novel Target Biomarker for the OEGFET Biosensor, Revolutionizing Noninvasive Alzheimer's Screening. S. Johri, R. S. Massey, D. Chan, M. R. Holahan and R. Prakash. IEEE Sensors Letters, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1-4, June 2024, Art no. 4501004, doi: 10.1109/LSENS.2024.3403043.
65 years of research on dopamine's role in classical fear conditioning and extinction: A systematic review. Hamati R, Ahrens J, Shvetz C, Holahan MR, Tuominen L. Eur J Neurosci. 2024 Mar;59(6):1099-1140. doi: 10.1111/ejn.16157. Epub 2023 Oct 17.
Preadolescent exposure to a sexually mature, unrelated male rat reduces postadolescent social recognition memory and CA2 c-Fos labeling. Maletta T, Palummieri M, Correa J, Holahan MR. Front Behav Neurosci. 2023 Jan 26;17:1104866. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1104866. eCollection 2023.
Exploring the Connection Between the Gut Microbiome and Parkinson's Disease Symptom Progression and Pathology: Implications for Supplementary Treatment Options. Chan DG, Ventura K, Villeneuve A, Du Bois P, Holahan MR. J Parkinsons Dis. 2022;12(8):2339-2352. doi: 10.3233/JPD-223461.
Hyperacute Excitotoxic Mechanisms and Synaptic Dysfunction Involved in Traumatic Brain Injury. Hoffe B, Holahan MR. Front Mol Neurosci. 2022 Feb 24;15:831825. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.831825. eCollection 2022.
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