Nicholas Boulis, M.D.
Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology at U-M
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Emory University
Developing Cellular and Molecular Therapies for the Nervous System
Nicholas Boulis' laboratory seeks to develop cellular and molecular therapies for the nervous system. He has worked principally to use stem cells and gene therapy either to keep neurons healthy in the face of neurodegenerative diseases, or adjust their activity to treat diseases that stem from neural overstimulation. His laboratory has focused on spinal motor neurons as both a model and target for curing disease. While keeping motor neurons alive can be directly applied to motor neuron disease (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy,or SMA), these approaches can also be applied to other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and neuropathy.
In order to preserve the survival of motor neurons, his laboratory has pioneered innovative approaches to the delivery of therapeutic genes to motor neurons, including retrograde transport from nerves and muscle, direct spinal cord injection, and intrathecal administration. This work has culminated in the first human spinal cord stem cell transplantation trial, conducted in ALS patients in collaboration with the University of Michigan. His laboratory is supporting the development of stem cell transplantation trials from multiple teams around the United States and abroad.
His work on controlling neural activity with gene delivery has been funded by two consecutive National Institutes of Health grants. He has explored the delivery of genes to alter neurotransmitter production, presynaptic vesicle docking, and ion channels. He is actively supporting the development of a clinical trial for epilepsy gene therapy.
In addition to basic and translational research, he leads and participates in a variety of groundbreaking clinical trials. In addition to stem cell transplantation, he is conducting human trials in both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease gene therapy.
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Taubman Emerging Scholars Program
Request for applications
Applications are being accepted for the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program.
The applicant must be a junior member of the faculty at the University of Michigan; generally, that means holding an assistant professor title. The applicant must have either an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. It is required that candidates both conduct basic research and treat patients.
Applicants should submit a two-to-three page research proposal, as well as a current CV. Priority will be given to proposals involving translational research. Please submit material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline is May 7, 2012.
Young Friends host festive NYC fundraiser
Reception introduced scholar candidate Dr. Parag Patil
About 125 supporters of cutting-edge medical research mixed socializing and science May 9 at a cocktail party in Manhattan hosted by the Young Friends of the Taubman Institute's New York City chapter.
The event introduced Dr. Parag Patil, a University of Michigan physician-researcher and a prospective Young Friends Emerging Scholar. Here's a clip from Dr. Patil's appearance on the TV program "The Doctors," where he demonstrates how deep-brain stimulation has helped a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Emerging Scholars are early-career clinician-scientists who show great promise in research aimed at new cures or treatments; through the Taubman Institute, donors support them with three-year grants while their labs earn the credentials to win broader funding support.
The Young Friends event, which raised a significant contribution toward the Emerging Scholars program, was held at the ABC Carpet & Home showrooms at 888 Broadway, Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction and a presentation by Dr. Patil. The silent auction included jewelry, fashion items, a Botox consultation and treatment, Morgan Hotel Group rooms and the opportunity to bid on a meeting and photo with former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Taubman Research
Dr. Max Wicha: Some treatments actually increase cancer stem cells
Avastin and Sutent have been found to increase the growth of breast cancer stem cells in mice, according to Taubman Scholar Dr. Max Wicha, director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.
