After postgraduate studies in the USA, Dr Chuah was a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is interested in the developmental neurobiology of the olfactory system and in the application of olfactory tissue in nervous system repair. She has been at the University since 1994.
Research Interests
Dr Chuah’s research is primarily focussed on the cell biology of the olfactory system, with particular emphasis on the role of olfactory ensheathing cells in normal olfactory development and as a therapeutic agent for promoting nerve growth. She is also investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuroregeneration. She is especially interested in studying neurotrophic factors and adhesion molecules expressed by olfactory ensheathing cells and how they are able to alter the restrictive environment of the adult nervous system. A second major research interest is investigating the possible role of metallothioneins in the normal and physically traumatised central nervous system.
Research Areas:Teaching
Dr Chuah is the coordinator for the 3rd year Neuroscience course for medical students and the Biomedical Neuroscience course for science students. The latter course provides science students with some hands-on experience in labwork and is specially developed to stimulate interest in students, so to consider further Honours studies in neuroscience. She also teachs the Histology component of Integrated Structure and Function to 1st year medical students.
Selected Publications:- Chuah, MI, Au C, 1993, 'Cultures of ensheathing cells from neonatal rat olfactory bulbs', Brain Research, 601, pgs. 213-220
- Liu KL, Chuah MI, Lee KKH, 1995, 'Soluble factors from the olfactory bulb attract olfactory Schwann cell', Journal of Neuroscience, 15, pgs. 990-1000
- Mackay-Sim, A, Chuah, MI, 2000, 'Neurotrophic factors in the primary olfactory pathway', Progress in Neurobiolog, 62, pgs. 527-559
- Woodhall, E, West, AK, Chuah, MI, 2001, 'Cultured olfactory ensheathing cells express nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and their receptors', Molecular Brain Research, 88, pgs. 203-213
Current and Supervised Project/s:
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