Drexel University · PharmacologySubstance Use and Neuroinflammation Lab
Peter Jesse Gaskill · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Peter Gaskill's lab at Drexel University focuses on understanding how substance use disorders, particularly stimulant use like cocaine and methamphetamine, interact with HIV to drive inflammation and neurocognitive impairment. The research involves creating human cell models to investigate how dopamine, released due to stimulant use, affects brain cells affected by HIV. By exploring these interactions, the lab aims to find potential therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for individuals living with both HIV and substance use disorders.
substance use disordersHIVneuroinflammationdopaminecocainemethamphetamineinflammasomesneurocognitive impairmentmicroglianeuron models
Research Aims
5AIM 01Define the impact of dopamine on HIV infection and inflammation in brain cells.
AIM 02Investigate the role of inflammasomes in the interaction between cocaine use and HIV.
AIM 03Identify specific dopamine receptors that influence neuronal function in the context of HIV.
AIM 04Develop a consistent human cell-culture model to study the effects of stimulants on HIV-related neurocognitive impairment.
AIM 05Examine the effects of cocaine and HIV co-occurrence on neuroinflammation and cognitive behaviors.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturehigh-content imagingRNA sequencingpatch-clamp electrophysiologyconfocal imagingCRISPR3D cell modelingbioinformaticsmultielectrode arraysin vitro assay development
Output against the department
Publications102bottom 26% of dept.342nd of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.6kbottom 19% of dept.376th of 462
this lab
most citedleast cited
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