: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle) : Namaka, Michael, Peter
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Provide the following information for the key personnel and other significant contributors in the order listed on Form Page 2.
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NAME
POSITION TITLE
Michael Namaka
Associate Professor
eRA COMMONS USER NAME (credential, e.g., agency login)
EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, and include postdoctoral training.)
DEGREE
(if applicable)
YEAR(s)
B.Sc
M.Sc
Ph.D
MS MED CA
EPP
1991
1997
2000
2006
2014
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
College of Physicians and Surgeons of MB
College of Manitoba Pharmacists
A.
FIELD OF STUDY
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Multiple Sclerosis
Neuro-immunology
Personal Statement
I have designed and published a newly developed model for multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology. Based on this
model, the global focus of my research is to investigate the immune system induction of cytokines and
neurotrophins. Specifically we have focused our research on the interconnected molecular signaling that
regulates myelin structure, function and repair via the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the spinal cord (SC)
pathway. At present we have identified 4 key mediators that interact to regulate the functional repair of myelin
through the DRG-SC pathway. These key mediators include: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), nerve growth
factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its transcriptional suppressor called methyl CpG
binding protein 2 (MeCP2). We have identified MeCP2 as the lead molecular target candidate that regulates
myelin repair. Specifically, we believe that MeCP2 governs the signaling amongst the triad of cytokines and
neurotrophins by functioning as a transcriptional suppressor of BDNF. Hence, following an immune system
mediated attack, the induced expression of MeCP2 results in a reduction of BDNF, thereby disrupting the
normal equilibrium of the cytokine-neurotrophin triad. This results in partial or incomplete re-myelination at the
site of the MS lesion thereby resulting in the characteristic neurological disabilities caused by MS. This new
model has shifted the paradigm of MS research to now incorporate a conventional approach to the traditional
underlying pathophysiology of MS.
Our epigenetics research is focused on Histone modifications in regard to MeCP2 and its implications in myelin
repair via BDNF repression.
My laboratory has utilized a newly developed novel cryostat sectioning technique to demonstrate the
anterograde transport of BDNF protein along intact nerve connections from the DRG to the SC in an
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. These results confirmed the importance of
DRG derived BDNF delivery to the SC in the functional recovery from the neurological disability induced by an
MS attack. Henceforth, our research laboratory has established a solid foundational framework aimed at
determining the specific role of the upstream transcriptional suppressor (MeCP2) and/or BDNF in repairing
MS-induced myelin damage. Our long standing established expertise in EAE combined with our advanced
analytical expertise in areas such as confocal microscopy, electron microscopy immunohistochemistry, qRTPCR, western blotting, in situ hybridization and ELISA poises our team in a leading position to identify the
biological and molecular basis of restoring functional damage caused by the autoimmune disease, MS.
MeCP2 is a key upstream determinant of the effectiveness of BDNF-induced re-myelination/repair
mechanisms that are mobilized following experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced damage
of CNS myelin. Specifically, we believe this occurs via MeCP2’s ability to directly repress BDNF expression
0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12)
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Biographical Sketch Format Page
Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle) : Namaka, Michael, Peter
thru its two isoforms (MeCP2E1 and/or MeCP2E2). The repression of BDNF disrupts the homeostatic
equilibrium between inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and other neurotrophin such as NGF. The
disruption of this homeostatic equilibrium ultimately determines whether the biological activity of TNFα.will be
pathogenic (promote inflammation, NPP and demyelination) or protective (re-myelination/myelin repair and antnociceptive). Ultimately, the ability of MeCP2E1/E2 to disrupt the cytokine-neurotrophin homeostasis
represents the pathological focal point that is common to MS, NTSCI and NPP.
One of my most significant accomplishments involves the development of the Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis
Research Network Organization (MMSRNO). Currently, I am the acting President of this organization.
Dr. Karen Ethans and I are the original co-founders of this organization. The purpose of the establishing the
MMSRNO was to foster research collaboration amongst those individuals in Manitoba that have a specialized
expertise in MS.
B.
Positions and Honors
Positions and Employment
2000-2001
Fellow, Department Discovery Research, Cangene Corporation, Winnipeg, MB
2001-2006
Multiple Sclerosis Neuropharmacologist, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Department of Neurology,
Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB
2001-2007
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2006-2009
Multiple Sclerosis Medical Clinical Assistant, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Department of
Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB
2007-present
Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2009-2011
Neuropharmacologist, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Department of Neurology, Health Sciences
Centre, Winnipeg, MB
2009-present
Neuropharmacologist, Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Centre
2009-present
Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB
2009-present
Associate Professor, Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of
Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2011-present
Neuropharmacologist, Anesthesia Department, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Honors
1991
Professional Practice Award (Clinical Practice Award) Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Manitoba
1994-1995
The Leslie F. Buggey Graduate Scholarship in Pharmacy
2000
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Industrial
Fellowship, Pointe Claire, Quebec
2003,06-09,2012 Life Long Learning Award for Professional Program Development for Pharmacists Manitoba
Pharmaceutical Association
2004
Multiple Sclerosis Commitment to Care Award; Canadian Pharmacy Practice Journal,
Toronto, Ontario
2009
Sanofi-Aventis Research Mentorship Award, Biotech Challenge, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Other Experiences and Professional Memberships
1997-present
Member, The Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
1997-present
Member, Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP)
1997-present
Member, Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)
2000-present
Member, Canadian Society of Clinical Pharmacology (CSCP)
2001-present
Member, Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS)
2001-present
Member, Canadian Pharmaceutical Association (CPHA)
2002-present
Member, Manitoba Society of Pharmacists (MSP)
2002-present
Member, Canadian Pain Society (CPS)
2003-present
Member, Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience (WCSfN)
PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 09/04)
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Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle) : Namaka, Michael, Peter
2003-present
2005-present
2005-present
2006-present
2009-present
2013-present
Associations
2001-2007
2006-present
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
Member, American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
Member, Manitoba Institute of Child Health
Action for Canadians with Neuropathic Pain (ACNP) Office Held: Member of Executive
Board
Multiple Sclerosis Medical Clinical Assistant (New Professional Designation-Distinction),
College of Physicians and Surgeons
Head, endMS Regional Research and Training Centres, Multiple Sclerosis Society of
Canada, Winnipeg, MB
President Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Network Organization (MMSRNO)
Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) Office Held: Elected Councilor and
Research Committee Chair
Sports Medicine Council of Manitoba Office Held: Executive Board Member
Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) Office Held: Elected President
Elect
Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) Office Held: Elected
Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) Office Held: Past President
Grant Review Panels
2001-2010
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Office Held: Member of the Panel of
Examiners
June 2014
Member of the Review Panel ARSEP Foundation is the French Research Multiple Sclerosis
Society: Grant Applications
July 2014
Member of the Review Panel MS Research Australia (MSRA): Grant Applications
Sep 2014-present Member of Manitoba Neuroscience Network Virtual Institute Model for Website
Development
Nov 2014
International Grant Reviewer for Medical Research Council (MRC), United Kingdom
C.
Selected Peer-reviewed Publications
1. Miao, P., Madec, K., Gong, Y., Shen, H., Eisenstat, D., Melanson, M., Gu, X., Leong, C., Klowak, M.,
Namaka, M.P. Axotomy-Induced Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha within Rat Dorsal Root
Ganglia. Neurol Res. 2008; 30(6): 623-631
2. Melanson, M., Miao, P., Eisenstat, D., Gong, Y., Gu, X., Au, K., Zhu, W., Begum, F., Frost, E., and
Namaka, M.P. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis-induced up-regulation of tumor necrosis
factor-alpha in the dorsal root ganglia. Multiple Sclerosis 2009 Oct;15 (10):1135-1145
3. Begum, F., Zhu, W., Madec, K., Namaka, M.P., Frost E. A novel decalcification method for adult rodent
bone for histological analysis of peripheral-central nervous system connections. J Neurosci Methods. 2010
Mar 15; 187(1):59-66
4. Vora, P., Mina, R., Namaka, M.P. and Frost, E.E. A novel transcriptional regulator of myelin gene
expression: Implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuroreport Oct 6, 2010; 21(14):917-21
5. Vora, P., Pillai, P, Mustapha, J., Namaka, M.P., Frost, E.E. Differential effects of growth factors on
oligodendrocyte progenitor migration. European Journal of Cell Biology 2011 Aug; 90(8):649-56
6. Zhu W, Frost EE, Begum F, Vora P, Au K, Gong Y, MacNeil B, Pillai P, Namaka M. The role of dorsal root
ganglia activation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in multiple sclerosis. J Cell Mol Med. 2012 Aug;
16(8):1856-65. Doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2011.01481.x. PubMed PMID: 22050733.
7. Farhana Begum, Wenjun Zhu, Cortes C, Brian MacNeil and Namaka, M.P. Elevation of Tumor Necrosis
Factor Alpha in Dorsal Root Ganglia and Spinal Cord is Associated with Neuroimmune Modulation of Pain
in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2013 Jun;8(3):677-90. doi:
10.1007/s11481-013-9449-5. Epub 2013 Mar 14. PubMed PMID: 23483352.
8. Wenjun Zhu, Crystal Acosta, Brian MacNeil, Claudia Cortes, Howard Intrater, Yuewen Gong and Mike
Namaka. Elevated Expression of Fractalkine (CX3CL1) and Fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) in the Dorsal
Root Ganglia (DRG) and Spinal Cord (SC) in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE):
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Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle) : Namaka, Michael, Peter
Implications in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Induced Neuropathic Pain (NPP). Biomed Res Int. 2013;
2013:480702. doi: 10.1155/2013/480702. Epub 2013 Sep 24. PubMed PMID: 24175290
9. Acosta, C.M.R., Cortes, C., MacPhee, H., Namaka, M.P. Exploring the Role of Nerve Growth Factor in
Multiple Sclerosis: Implications in Myelin Repair. CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets. 2013
Dec;12(8):1242-56. PubMed PMID: 23844684.
10. Wenjun Zhu, Crystal Acosta, Brian J. MacNeil, Tom Klonisch, Claudia Cortes, Malcolm Doupe, Yuewen
Gong, Michael Namaka. Spinal cord brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) responsive cells in an
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis (MS): Implications in myelin
repair. Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 612406, Research in Immunology: An International Journal, 19
pages, DOI: 10.5171/2014.612406
NOTE:
• Peer Reviewed Publications: 25 publications in the past 5 years from a total of 38 publications.
• Book chapters and contributions: 2 book chapters and 1 editorial letters in the last 5 years.
• Published Abstracts: 34 research posters in the past 5 years from a total of 55 research posters.
• Invited Presentations: 43 invited presentations in the past 5 years from a total of 126 invited presentations.
• Non-refereed Periodicals, Professional Journals: 6 periodicals in the past 5 years from a total of 11
periodicals.
• Featured Websites/Press Releases: 6 in the past 5 years from a total of 32.
D.
Research Support
2014-2015: Efficacy of Mirabegron among People with Neurogenic Bladder
Funding Source: Rick Hansen Institute
Principle Investigator: Dr. Karen Ethans
Co-Investigator: Dr. Mike Namaka, Dr. Robert Bard
2014-2015: Regulation of Myelin Repair by BDNF in Pediatric Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (NTSCI) via
the Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) – Spinal Cord (SC) Connection
Funding Source: Canadian Paraplegic Association
Principle Investigator: Dr. Mike Namaka
Co-Investigator: Dr. Karen Ethans
2014-2015: Creating a Centralized SCI Clinical Research Group in Manitoba
Funding Source: Canadian Paraplegic Association
Principle Investigator: Dr. Karen Ethans
Co-Investigator: Dr. Mike Namaka
2013-2014: Regulation of Myelin Repair by BDNF in Pediatric Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (NTSCI) via
the Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) – Spinal Cord (SC) Connection
Funding Source: Andison Family Foundation
Co-Investigator: Dr. Karen Ethans
Principle Investigator: Dr. Mike Namaka
PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 09/04)
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