Contact

Department

Cell Systems and Anatomy

James Donald Lechleiter, Ph.D.

Professor, Director of the Optical Imaging Core

Personal Statement:

Neuroscience Research

Dr. Lechleiter’s laboratory is interested in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of protection during drug addition, ischemic stress, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Most strategies to reduce, slow and repair the severity of brain injuries and diseases have focused almost exclusively on neurons. We have focused our research on the potential of astrocytes as a novel theurapeutic avenue for brain treatment. Astrocytes are known to play a crucial role in supporting and protecting neuronal function and in modulating brain energy metabolism. A therapeutic strategy that increases energy production is inherently robust, since the number of potential neuroprotective processes that benefit are significantly higher than a single molecular target.

Sub-Field of Study: Injury and neuroprotection

Specific Field of Study: astrocytes

Associated Diseases: Neurodegenerative Diseases, stroke, traumatic brain injury, aging, drug addiction

Techniques Used: Conventional optical imaging, Super-Resolution and 2-photon microscopy, mouse models, molecular and biochemical approaches.

Education

1984 - PhD - Physiology - University of Arizona
1978 - BS - Physics - University of Minnesota
1978 - BS - Astrophysics - University of Minnesota
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Physiology - Tufts University
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Pharmacology - Mayo Clinic

Research

Grants
Funding Agency NIH Title San Antonio Biomedical Education and Research (SABER) Status Active Period 7/2015 – 3/2020 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail PD/PIs: Dr. James Lecheiter, Dr. Babatunde Oyajobi, and Dr. Linda McManus. This is a multi-investigator grant for an Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA (K12). The SABER program is a collaboration between UTHSCSA and our Hispanic-serving partners, Saint Mary?s University (StMU) and Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU). The goal of SABER is to prepare exceptional postdoctoral researchers and teachers for an academic career that closes the gap between the aspirations and achievements of Hispanic students while at the same time, increasing interest in careers in biomedical research among undergraduates. Funding Agency NIH Title San Antonio Cancer Institute (SACI)- Optical Imaging Core Status Active Period 9/2014 – 9/2019 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail Imaging Core Director Funding Agency NIH-NIA Title CSF-1 Gene Expression In Osteoclast Biology Status Active Period 9/2013 – 6/2018 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail PI-S. Abboud-Werner
The major goals of this project are 1) ) Determine the effect of CSF-1cKO in osteocytes on bone phenotype and redox state during aging. 2) Determine the role of Nox4 in osteocytes of CSF-1cKO mice and mechanisms by which CSF-1 regulates osteocyte survival. 3) Determine the ability of CSF-1 isoforms to rescue bone defects in CSF-1cKO mice.

Awards & Accomplishments

Appointments
11/2011 – Interim Director – Neuroscience Center, South Texas Research Facility (STRF), The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Cellular & Structural Biology, San Antonio
12/2005 – Professor with Tenure – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Physiology, San Antonio
9/2003 – Professor with Tenure – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Physiology, San Antonio

Instruction & Training
6/2014 – Present, Ph.D. Dissertations Directed, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2014 – Present, Ph.D. Dissertations Directed, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, Ph.D. Dissertations Directed, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
1/2013 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, High School/Junior High School Student Supervision, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2013 – Present, Ph.D. Dissertations Directed, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2012 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2012 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2012 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2012 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2012 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2012 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2011 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2011 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
1/2011 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2011 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2011 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2010 – Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2010 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2010 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
8/2007 – Present, Rotation Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
1/2007 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2007 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2007 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2006 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2006 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2005 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2005 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
1/2003 – Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio