University of Kentucky · PhysiologyThe Recovery Dynamics Lab
John C Gensel · Lexington, Kentucky
Research Focus
Dr. John C. Gensel's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how age affects the recovery from spinal cord injuries through the study of macrophage metabolism. Their research investigates how the activation of immune cells called macrophages is influenced by age and metabolism, which can impact recovery outcomes after injury. By exploring ways to enhance reparative functions in these cells, the lab aims to improve treatments for spinal cord injuries, particularly in older individuals who often face unique challenges during recovery.
spinal cord injurymacrophage metabolismaginginflammationimmunomodulationneurotraumaglycolysisoxidative phosphorylationPDK inhibition
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the role of macrophage bioenergetics in age-related inflammation after spinal cord injury.
AIM 02Identify metabolic targets in macrophages that contribute to dysfunction after spinal cord injury.
AIM 03Evaluate the therapeutic effects of PDK inhibition on recovery from spinal cord injury.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureanimal modelsin vivo imagingRNA sequencingmetabolomicsmacrophage isolationSeahorse bioanalyzerdrug formulationflow cytometry
Output against the department
Publications117bottom 35% of dept.186th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.7ktop 38% of dept.108th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.