Paul L. Durham PhD

Dr. Paul L. Durham is currently Professor, Cell Biology, at Missouri State University, Springfield, and director of the Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences, a multidisciplinary laboratory that utilizes cellular, molecular, microbiological, biochemical, and chemical techniques. A primary goal of his research is to determine the signaling pathways by which inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents control neuropeptide gene expression in disorders involving the trigeminal nerve. He received his PhD from the University of Iowa.

His long-term interest lies in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neuron-glia interactions that promote and sustain chronic peripheral and central sensitization. A primary goal of his research is to determine the signaling pathways by which inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents control neuropeptide gene expression in disorders involving the trigeminal nerve. Currently, he is studying the regulation of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide gene (CGRP) expression in cultured trigeminal neurons, neuronal-like cell lines, in vivo animal models, and clinical studies.

A major focus of his research has been to elucidate the cellular/molecular mechanisms mediated by anti-migraine drugs and inflammatory stimuli that activate MAP kinase pathways in neurons and glial cells within the trigeminal ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus. More recently, he has begun to study the effects of nutraceutical compounds on neuronal-glial cell interactions within the ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus under normal and inflammatory conditions.