M. Waleed Gaber, PhD

Using a mouse cranial window and intravital techniques we studied the effect of cranial radiation on leukocyte interactions in the pial microvasculature. Top, unirradiated vessels showing streaming leukocytes (stained with i.v. injection of Rhodamine-6G). Bottom, same microvessels 24 hrs post irradiation with a single dose of 20 Gy cranial irradiation demonstrating leukocyte rolling and firm adhesion.

In vivo animal imaging is one of the main tools available to study and evaluate the structure and function of normal and diseased tissues and organs. Dr. Gaber’s work concentrates on the development of animal imaging models to study disease progression, drug treatment, and treatment side effects. In particular Dr. Gaber is interested in studying vascular changes induced by exogenous or endogenous agents; mainly radiation treatment, tumor presence, and mechanical wound induction.

Dr. Waleed Gaber’s work aims at optimizing brain tumor therapy through designing targeted drugs that can cross the blood brain barrier and through the study of the combined side effect of tumor microenvironment and radiation therapy on brain vasculature and parenchyma.

Dr. Gaber also works on developing a combined whole body radiation and injury animal model to be used in the development of a treatment strategy that will promote survival and wound healing in individuals exposed to total body irradiation who suffer from traumatic mechanical injury.