Chen-Guang Yu, Ph. D., M.D.

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chen-guang.yu@uky.edu
Phone: 859-323-2613
Office: Room B455 BBSRB, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of College of medicine, 741 S Limestone St. Lexington KY 40536
CV (Yu-1-10-2017).pdf
http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/biochemistry+%26+biophysics/journal/11515?detailsPage=editorialBoard

Position(s):

Research Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Department of Neuroscience

Affiliation(s):

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center

Neuroscience

Other Affiliation(s):

SCOBIRC - Research Faculty

Interests / Specialties:

Development of novel immunotherapeutics and small RNA therapeutics for treating spinal cord injury and neuropathic pain.

Bio / Education:

2017 – present Research Assistant Professor; Department of Neuroscience and the Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center.

2016 Chief Scientist, Laboratory of RNA Nanotechnology Development, Matt Holding Pharmaceutical LLC at Rev1 Ventures, Ohio State University Nanotech West Lab

05/2005-04/2016 Research Assistant Professor/Principal Investigator in Dr. James
Geddes’s laboratory at Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research
Center, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of
Kentucky College of Medicine.

02/2001-05/2005 Research Assistant Professor/Principal Investigator at University of Florida Medical Center.

03/1998-12/2000 Visiting Scientist/Post Doctoral Associate at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miller School of Medicine University of Miami.

04/1997-03/1998 Associate Professor of Pharmacology/Neurobiology, Shanghai Second Medical University.

1996 Ph.D. Shanghai Second Medical University (Pharmacology and Neurobiology), Shanghai, China

1989 M.S. Bengbu Medical College (Pharmacology), Bengbu, China

1982 M.D. Anhui Medical College (Medicine), Hefei, China

Research Description:

Our research investigated the pathogenic mechanisms of spinal cord injury (SCI)/neuropathic pain and developed novel experimental therapeutics for treating SCI and neuropathic pain. We use genetic tools, FDA-approved inhibitors, small RNA technologies, and molecular/pathological/behavioral analysis to identify novel therapeutic targets, develop small RNA therapeutics, and reposition FDA-approved drugs to promote functional recovery and pain relief for traumatic spinal cord injury in mice and rats.

Grants:

Project Title: “BTK inhibition for treatment of spinal cord injury”
Principal Investigator(s): James Geddes, Ph.D.
Role in Project: Co-Principal Investigator
Institution/University: University of Kentucky College of Medicine SCOBIRC
Source of Funding: Neilsen Foundation (Extramural)
Duration of Project: 09/2016-09/2018
Total Award: $300,000 (two years)

Selected Publications:

1. Crowdus C, Singh R, Power R, Pandya J, Patel S, Sullivan P, Rabchevsky A,
Yu CG, Geddes J (2016). Dietary supplementation with organoselenium accelerates recovery of bladder expression, but does not improve locomotor function, following spinal cord injury. PLOS ONE, 2016 Jan 29;11(1): e0147716.

2. Schaefer K, Toral M, Velez G, Cox A, Baker S, Borcherding N, Colgan D, Bondada V,
Mashburn C, Yu CG, Geddes JW, Tsang S, Bassuk A, and Mahajan V (2016). Calpain-5 expression in the retina localizes to photoreceptor synapses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.
2016 May 1;57(6):2509-21.

3. Yu XX, Bondada V, Rogers C, Meyer CA, and Yu CG (2015). Targeting ERK1/2-calpain 1-NF-κB signal transduction in secondary tissue damage and astrogliosis after spinal cord injury. Frontiers in Biology. 10 (5):427-438.

4. Yu CG, Singh R, Crowdus C, Raza K, Kincer J, and Geddes JW. Fenbendazole improves functional recovery following spinal cord injury in mice. 2014; Neuroscience 256:163-9.

5. Yu CG, Li Y, Raza K, Yu XX, Ghoshal S, and Geddes JW. Calpain 1 knockdown improves tissue sparing and functional outcomes following spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2013; 30(6):427-33.

6. Yu CG. RNAi approaches for neuroprotection and regeneration after brain and spinal cord injury. J Spine 2013, 2: S4-e001 (Editorial).

7. Yu CG. Distinct roles for ERK1 and ERK2 in pathophysiology of CNS (Review) Front. Biol. 2012, 7(3): 267–276.

8. Yu CG, Crowdus C, Raza K, and Geddes JW. Fenbendazole improves functional recovery following spinal cord injury in mice. 30th National Neurotrauma Meeting, July 22-25, 2012 Phoenix, Arizona. JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA 2012, 29: A-132.

9. Yu CG, Yezierski RP, Joshi A, Raza K, Li Y, and Geddes J. Involvement of ERK2 in traumatic spinal cord injury. J Neurochemistry， 2010, 113:131-142.

10. Yu CG, Aashish Joshi, and Geddes JW. Intraspinal MDL28170 microinjection improves functional and pathological outcome following contusive spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2008; 25(7):833-40.

11. Yu CG, Yezierski RP, Joshi A, Geddes JW. Targeting ERK2 with lentiviral shRNA improves tissue sparing and locomotor function after spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2008; 25(7): 910-910.

12. Yu CG and Geddes JW. Sustained calpain inhibition improves locomotor function and tissue sparing following contusive spinal cord injury. Neurochem Res. 2007; 32:2046-53.

13. Yu CG and Yezierski RP. Activation of the ERK1/2 signaling cascade by excitotoxic spinal cord injury. Brain Res. 2005; 138(2):244-55.

14. Berens SA, Colvin DC, YU CG, Yezierski RP, Mareci TH. Evaluation of the pathologic characteristics of excitotoxic spinal cord injury with MR imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005; 26(7):1612:22.

15. Yezierski RP, Yu CG, Mantyh PW, Vierck CJ, and Lappi DA. Spinal neurons involved in the generation of at-level pain following spinal injury in the rat. Neurosci. Lett. 2004;
361(1-3):232-6.

16. Berens SA, Yezierski RP, Yu CG, et al. Use of MRI to study the neuroprotective effects of agmatine following excitotoxic SCI in the rat. J Neurotrauma. 2004; 21 (9):1267-1267.

17. Yu CG, Fairbanks CA, Wilcox GL, and Yezierski RP. Effects of agmatine, IL-10, and
cyclosporin on sponstanous pain behavior after excitotoxic spinal cord injury in rats. J
Pain 2003; 4:129-140.

18. Caudle RM, Perez FM, King C, Yu CG, and Yezierski RP. NMDA receptor NR1 subunit expression and phosphorylation following excitotoxic spinal cord injury in rats.
Neuroscience Lett. 2003; 349:37-40.

19. Yu CG, Ruenes G, Sanchez D, Marcillo AE, Dietrich WD, and Yezierski RP.
Detrimental effects of hyperthermia on locomotor function and histopathological outcome following traumatic spinal cord injury in the rats. Neurosurgery. 2001; 49(1):152-158, discussion 158-159.

20. Yu CG, Jimenez O, Marcillo AE, Weider B, Bangerter K, Dietrich WD and Yezierski RP. Beneficial effects of modest systemic hypothermia on lomotor function and
histopathological damage following contusion induced spinal cord injury in rats. J.
Neurosurgery, 2000; 93:329-337.

21. Yu CG, Marcillo AE, Fairbanks CA, Wilcox GL and Yezierski RP. Agmatine improves
locomotor function and reduces tissue damage following contusion spinal cord injury.
NeuroReport. 2000; 11 (14).

22. Plaunkett JA, Yu CG, Easton JM, Bethea JR, and Yezierski RP. Effects of interleukin-10 on pain behavior and gene expression following excitotoxic spinal cord injury in rats. Exp. Neurology 2001; 168:144-154.

22. Groman AL, Yu CG, Sanchez D, Ruenes GR, Daniels L and Yezierski RP. Conditions
affecting the onset, severity,and progression of a spontaneous pain-like behavior after
excitotoxic spinal cord injury. J Pain 2001; 2(4):229-240.

23. Fairbanks CA, Schreiber KL, Brewer KL, Yu CG, Stone LS, Kitto KF, Nguyen HO,
Grocholski BM, Shoeman DW, Kehl LJ, Regunathan S, reis DJ, Yezierski RP, and Wilcox
GL. Agmatine reverses pain induced by inflammation, neuropathy, and spinal cord injury.
PNAS (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA), 2000; 97(19):10584-10589.