Faculty & Staff

David S. Adams

Professor

Faculty Listing
Office: Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, 4003
Phone: +1-508-831-5432
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
dadams@wpi.edu

Educational Background

B.S., Oklahoma State University
M.S., University of Houston
Ph.D., University of Texas
Postdoc, Rockefeller University

Research & Teaching Interests

Genetic engineering; molecular biology; virology; neurotrophic factors; human hematopoietic stem cells

IQP Advising Interests

Impact of new biological technologies on society; transgenic animals; DNA fingerprinting; human stem cells

Research

Dr. Adams' lab is currently investigating the molecular mechanism of action of neurotrophic factors whose function is to facilitate neuronal growth and survival. Such proteins may have therapeutic applications for stroke, heart attacks, or Alzheimer's disease. Our lab studies short peptide mimetics that functionally represent full-length neurotrophic factors because the shorter peptides can cross the blood brain barrier easier for therapeutic applications.

Research Grants

Ceremedix, Inc.: Genetic Engineering Neurotrophic Factors.
Viacell: Molecular Characterization of Human Cord Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Recent Publications

Shashoua VE, Adams DS, Volodina NV, Lia H. New Synthetic Peptides Can Enhance Gene Expression of Key Antioxidant Defense Enzymes In Vitro and In Vivo. Brain Research 1024: 34-43 (2004).
Adams DS, Hasson B, Boyer-Boiteau A, El-Khishin A, Shashoua VE. A Peptide Fragment of Ependymin Neurotrophic Factor Uses Protein Kinase-C and the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway to Activate c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase and a Functional AP-1 Containing c-Jun and c-Fos Proteins in Mouse NB2a Cells. Journal of Neuroscience Research 72: 405-416 (2003).
Shashoua V, Adams D, Boyer-Boiteau A, Cornell-Bell A, Li F, Fisher M. Neuroprotective Effects of a New Synthetic Peptide (CMX-9236) in In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Cerebral Ischemia. Brain Research 963: 214-223 (2003).
Shashoua VE, Adams D, Boyer-Boiteau A. CMX-8933, A Peptide Fragment of the Glycoprotein Ependymin, Promotes Activation of AP-1 Transcription Factor in Mouse Neuroblastoma and Rat Cortical Cell Cultures. Neuroscience Letters 312: 103-107 (2001).
Adams DS, Nathans R, Pero SC, Sen A, Wakshull E. Activation of a Rel-A/CEBP-b-Related Transcription Factor Heteromer by PGG-Glucan in a Murine Monocytic Cell Line. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 77: 221-233 (2000).

View detailed list

Professional Societies/Memberships

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB).
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Sigma Xi, National Research Society:
- Secretary, WPI Chapter: 1986-89
- President-Elect, WPI Chapter: 1988-89
- President, WPI Chapter: 1989-90

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