David B. Edelman, Ph.D.

Associate Fellow in Experimental Neurobiology
david_edelman@nsi.edu

Our laboratory is investigating mitochondrial dynamics in the brain at both the cellular and organismal levels. We are exploring the signaling pathways that induce mitochondrial movement in neurons. We are also investigating the functional properties and regional distribution of mitochondria in different brain states, for example those induced by sleep and learning. Mitochondria are critical components of eukaryotic cellular metabolism. This is particularly true in the case of neurons, which, in their morphology and function, are among the most complex and specialized of all animal cells. Moreover, the brain is a metabolically expensive organ, accounting for as much as 20% of an animal’s day-to-day energy consumption. Most of the brain’s energy requirements are met through aerobic respiration, specifically through mitochondrial production of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Yet we still do not fully understand the relationship between mitochondria and neuronal function in the context of specific brain states. Impairment of mitochondrial function has been implicated in a number of brain pathologies, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. It is hoped that our studies will lead to a better understanding of the role of mitochondrial dynamics in the onset of these pathologies, as well as help us to gain broader insights into the relationship between mitochondria and normal brain function.

Education:

• B.S., Sociology & Anthropology, Swarthmore College
• Ph.D., Physical Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania
• Postdoctoral Fellow, The Neurosciences Institute/The Scripps Research Institute

 

Selected Publications:

Chen, S., Edelman, D.B., and Makarenkova, H. (Submitted). Interaction of kinesin-1 and F-actin is involved in mitochondrial movement in neurons, Plos One.

Chen, S., Owens, G.C., Makarenkova, H., and Edelman, D.B. (2010). HDAC6 regulates mitochondrial transport in hippocampal neurons, Plos One, 5(5):e10848, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010848.

Chen, S., Owens, G.C. and Edelman, D.B. (2008). Dopamine inhibits mitochondrial motility in hippocampal neurons. Plos One, 3(7):e2804, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002804.

Chen, S., Owens, G.C., Crossin, K.L., and Edelman, D.B. (2007). Serotonin stimulates mitochondrial transport in hippocampal neurons. Mol. Cell. Neurosci., 36(4):472-483. 

Edelman, D.B. and Seth, A.K. (2009). Animal consciousness: A synthetic approach. Trends Neurosci., 32(9):476-484.

Edelman, D.B.  (2009). Animal Consciousness. In Encyclopedia of Consciousness, Vol. 1, W.P. Banks, ed., London: Academic Press.

Edelman, D.B. (2007).  Consciousness without corticocentrism: Beating an evolutionary path, Commentary on Merker, B., Consciousness without a cerebral cortex: a  challenge for neuroscience and medicine, Behav. Brain Sci., 30(1):91-92.

Edelman, D.B. and Keefer, E.W. (2005). A cultural renaissance: in vitro cell biology embraces three-dimensional context, Exp. Neurol., 192(1):1-6.

Edelman, D.B. and Reeke, Jr., G.N. (In preparation). Femoral stress patterns reveal postural adaptations in fossil hominines and modern hominoids.

Edelman, D.B., Baars, B.J., and Seth, A.K. (2005). Identifying hallmarks of consciousness in non-mammalian species, Consciousness & Cognition, 14(1): 169-187.

Edelman, D.B. (2003). The narrative of the femur, The RBS gazette, W. Schuman, ed., Nov 30th 2003, 3(2):1, New York, NY.

Edelman, D.B., Meech, R.M., and Jones, F.S. (2000). The homeodomain protein Barx2 contains activator and repressor domains and interacts with members of the CREB family, J. Biol. Chem., 275(28):21737-21745.

Jones, F.S., McKean, D.M., Meech, R., Edelman, D.B., Oakey, R.J. and Jones, P.L. (2002). Regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell growth and adhesion by paired-related  homeobox genes, Chest, 121(3 Suppl.):89S-90S.

Jones, F.S., Meech, R., Edelman, D.B., Oakey, R.J., Jones, P.L. (2001). Prx1 controls vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and tenascin-C expression and is upregulated with Prx2 in pulmonary vascular disease, Circ. Res., 89(2):131-8.

Junger, H., Edelman, D.B. and Junger W.G. (2003). Hypertonicity promotes survival of corticospinal motoneurons via mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 signaling, J. Molec. Neurosci., 21(2): 111-120.

Meech, R., Edelman, D.B., Makarenkova, H. and Jones, F.S. (2005). The homeobox transcription factor Barx2 regulates chondrogenesis during limb development. Development, 132:2135-2146.

Meech, R., Edelman, D.B., Makarenkova, H. and Jones, F.S. (2003). The homeodomain protein Barx2 promotes myogenic differentiation and is regulated by myogenic regulatory factors., J. Biol. Chem., 278:8269-8278.

Seth, A.K., Baars, B.J., and Edelman, D.B. (2005). Criteria for consciousness in humans and other mammals, Consciousness & Cognition, 14(1):119-139.

Seth, A.K., Edelman, D.B., and Baars, B.J. (2004). Let’s not forget about sensory consciousness (continuing commentary), Behav. Brain Sci., 27(4):601-602.

Stevens, T.A., Iacovoni, J.S., Edelman, D.B., and Meech, R. (2004). Identification of novel gene targets and binding elements for the homeodomain protein BARX2, J. Biol. Chem., 279: 14520-14530.

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