Berezin Lab
The Berezin Lab is interested in developing the imaging techniques for the diagnostics and potentially image-guided treatment of peripheral nerve related diseases. The current focus of our lab is understanding the mechanism of pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN); a devastating, painful side effect of cancer therapy that occurs in almost 40% of patients. So far, no trials for CIPN preventatives or treatments have demonstrated positive results for patients, primarily because of the unknown mechanism of CIPN. Using developed in our laboratory fluorescent imaging probes, our team has found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in the nerve inflammation small animal models such as mice and rats. Although cells have endogenous mechanisms that normally repair oxidative damage, these systems can become overwhelmed when an excess of ROS accumulates, resulting in oxidative damage in the nerves. In addition to the imaging techniques, we apply a variety of electrophysiological, behavioral, genetic, and biochemical assays to identify the markers of CIPN and predict this condition.