Watchko Research Group
Principal Investigator:
Jon Watchko, MD
Research at the Watchko lab focuses on the mechanisms of bilirubin-induced brain injury, novel pharmacologic neuroprotective strategies to prevent kernicterus, and the genetics of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The lab serves as the physiology core for the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Lab Members
Monica Daood
Research Associate and Laboratory Director
Phone: 412-641-6131
rsimjd@mwri.magee.edu
Selected Publications
- Watchko JF. Kernicterus and the molecular mechanisms of bilirubin-induced CNS injury in newborns. Neuromolecular Medicine, 8:513-29, 2006.
- Sequeira D, Watchko JF, Daood MJ, O’Day TL, & Mahmood B. Unconjugated bilirubin efflux by bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. Pediatr Crit Care Med, 8:570-75, 2007.
- Reay DP, Bilbao R, Koppanati BM, Cai L, O’Day TL, Jiang Z, Zheng H, Watchko JF, & Clemens PR. Full- length dystrophin gene transfer to the mdx mouse in utero. Gene Therapy, 15:531-36, 2008.
- Lin Z, Fontaine J, & Watchko JF. Co-expression of gene polymorphisms involved in bilirubin production and metabolism. Pediatrics, 122:e156-e62, 2008.
- Daood MJ, Tsai C, Ahdab-Barmada M, & Watchko JF. ABC transporter (P-gp/ABCB1, MRP1/ABCC1, BCRP/ABCG2) expression in the developing human CNS. Neuropediatrics, 39:211-18, 2008.
- Daood MJ, McDonagh AF, & Watchko JF. Calculated free bilirubin levels and neurotoxicity. J Perinatol, 29:(Supplement 1:Bilirubin Supplement) S14-S19, 2009.
- Watchko JF, Lin Z, Clark RH, Kelleher AS, Walker MW, Spitzer AR, & Pediatrix Hyperbilirubinemia Study Group. The complex multifactorial nature of significant hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Pediatrics, 124:e868-e77, 2009.
- Watchko JF. Hyperbilirubinemia in African American neonates: Clinical issues and current challenges. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med, 2010 (in press).
- Watchko JF & Lin Z. Exploring the genetic architecture of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med, 2010 (in press).