Welcome to The stellwagen lab

We are studying the role of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα), a molecule principally characterized in the immune system, in the regulation of synaptic transmission.

TNFα has an intrinsic neuronal function as it, through the alteration of receptor trafficking, acts as a glia-released mediator of homeostatic synaptic scaling, an important form of synaptic plasticity. Further, TNFα regulates the surface expression of calcium-permeable glutamate receptors, which will greatly increase a neuron's vulnerability to excitotoxicity, one of the major causes of cell death following neural trauma.
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This is opening up a new area of research for understanding both normal neuronal function and neuropathology. We are interested in characterizing the role of TNFα and other cytokines in the normally functioning nervous system, to understand how the nervous system will be damaged by excessive release of these same cytokines during neuroinflammation.
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Crystal structure of TNFa as published in the Protein Data Bank

Location

Our lab is located in the Montreal General Hospital. We are proud to be affiliated with McGill University, a world-renowned academic institution known for its excellence in neuroscience research. Our location in Montreal also provides us with access to a rich and diverse community of neuroscientists and other researchers, making it an excellent hub for cutting-edge research in the field.

Montreal is a beautiful and vibrant city with a high quality of life, making it an attractive destination for scientists and students from all around the world.

​All of these factors combined make our lab an ideal place to conduct groundbreaking research and collaborate with other top-tier researchers !