Fraser J. Sim PhD

Fraser Sim

Fraser J. Sim
PhD

Professor; Neuroscience Program Director

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Myelin Diseases; Neurodegenerative disorders; Neuroscience; Stem Cells

Contact Information
955 Main Street
Room 3256
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 829-2151
fjsim@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

My lab investigates the molecular control of cell fate and homeostasis of resident stem and progenitor cells in the human brain. Using a combination of multicolor cell sorting techniques and whole genome analysis, we are characterizing the signaling pathways which regulate the formation and fate of human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. We are testing the functional significance of these pathways using both pharmacological and viral methods in culture and animal-based models of myelination and demyelination.

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Neuroscience, University of Cambridge (2001)
  • MA, Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge (1997)

Employment:

  • Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2022-present)
  • Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2015–2022)
  • Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2009–2015)
  • Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Neurology, University of Rochester (2006–2009)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Neurology, University of Rochester (2004–2006)
  • Instructor, Neurology, University of Rochester (2003–2004)
  • Instructor, Neurology/Neuroscience, Cornell University Medical College (2003)
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Neurology/Neuroscience, Cornell University Medical College (2002–2003)
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge (2001)

Research Expertise:

  • Neuroscience

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:

  • Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • July 2023–June 2028
    Programmable Hydrogels for Optimized Human Oligodendrocyte Transplantation in Demyelinating Disease
    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $2,930,725
  • September 2021–October 2024
    Overcoming human-specific obstacles to successful remyelination in multiple sclerosis
    Department of Defense (CDMRP)
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • July 2022–June 2024
    Induction of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Differentiation by Blocking Store-Operated Oscillatory Calcium Release
    Department of Defense (CDMRP)
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $238,056
  • December 2017–November 2022
    Muscarinic Receptor Type 3 Regulation of Oligodendrocyte ProgenitorDifferentiation
    NIH/NINDS
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,744,530
  • October 2017–September 2021
    Targeting extracellular sulfatases to accelerate oligodendrocyte progenitor-based myelin repair and regeneration
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $579,900
  • November 2017–October 2018
    Modeling human cell-based remyelination in large chronic demyelinating lesions
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $44,000
  • October 2013–September 2017
    Muscarinic Receptor Regulation of Oligodendrocyte Differentiation
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $554,973
  • March 2013–February 2015
    Directed Reprogramming of Human Fibroblasts to Oligodendrocyte Progenitors
    NYSTEM
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $329,984
  • September 2010–August 2013
    Atlas of gene expression by progenitor cells of the human brain and its tumors
    NYSTEM
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $216,690
  • May 2012–April 2013
    Development of novel cerebral X-ALD model using human ABCD1-null oligodendrocyte progenitors
    European Leukodystophy Association
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $58,792
  • September 2010–August 2012
    Induction of Oligodendrocyte Fate from Human Neural Stem Cells
    NYSTEM
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $319,907
  • July 2007–July 2008
    Low-Grade Oligodendroglioma Brain Tumor Research Grant
    National Brain Tumor Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $50,000
  • August 2004–August 2005
    Does statin therapy reduce the self-renewal capacity of adult human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells?
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $44,000
See all (3 more)

Patents:

  • CD24 as a brain tumor marker CD24 as a brain tumor stem cell marker and a diagnostic and therapeutic target in primary neural and glial tumors of the brain (2008)
  • CD140a sorting Treating Myelin Diseases with Optimized Cell Preparations (2008)
  • Human NSC gene expression Genes and signaling pathways differentially active in neural stem cells and neuronal progenitor cells (2006)
  • WMPC gene expression Genes differentially expressed by acutely isolated resident progenitor cells of the human white matter (2004)

Journal Articles:

See all (37 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • American Association for Cancer Research (2007–present)
  • Society for Neuro-Oncology (2007–present)
  • International Society for Stem Cell Research (2006–present)
  • American Society for Neurochemistry (2005–present)
  • Society for Neuroscience (2003–present)
  • British Neuropathological Society (2000–2001)

Presentations:

  • "Muscarinic receptor M3R signaling prevents efficient remyelination by human and mouse oligodendrocyte progenitor cells" 7th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS (2017)
  • "Targeting the inhibitors of remyelination by modulation of HSPG sulfation" 13th Biennial ISN Satellite Meeting on Myelin Biology; Internation Society for Neurochemistry (2017)
  • "Transcriptional regulation of human OPC fate" 12th Biennial ISN Satellite Meeting on Myelin Biology; International Society for Neurochemistry Meeting (2015)
  • "Muscarinic M3R regulation of human oligodendrocyte progenitor differentiation" Gordon Research Conference on Myelin (2014)
  • "Identification and genomic analysis of human neural and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells" Euroglia XI (2013)
  • "Transcriptional control of oligodendrocyte fate in human brain" 11th Biennial ISN Satellite Meeting on Myelin Biology; ISN-ASN Meeting (2013)
  • "Genomic analyses of human A2B5-defined glioma initiating progenitor cells" Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Molecular and Developmental Genetics Seminar (2010)
  • "Human glial progenitor cell isolation and microarray-based molecular characterization: in search of oligoneogenic pathways" SUNY REACH Neurodegenerative Diseases and Stem Cell Therapeutics Symposium (2010)
  • "Transcriptional regulation of glial progenitor cells in the developing human brain" 41st Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry; American Society for Neurochemistry (2010)
  • "Directing human oligodendrocyte progenitor differentiation and repair" Biosymposia, Stem Cells and CNS regeneration; Biosymposia (2007)
  • "Fluorescence-based identification, isolation and transplantation of human stem cells" Keio International Symposium on Photonics and Molecular Therapy; Keio University (2007)
  • "Stem cell-based repair of the CNS" University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Brain research centre research day (2006)
  • "Fate-regulating pathways in adult human oligodendrocyte progenitors" 36th Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry; American Society for Neurochemistry (2005)
  • "Overcoming environmental and human-specific inhibitors of remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis" Biogen, Invited Speaker
See all (4 more)

Service Activities:

  • Glia, Editorial Board (2021)
  • Journal of Clinical Investigation, Nature Communications, Stem Cell Reports, Stem Cells and Development, Scientific Reports, Brain Research (2021)
  • NIH, NTRC Panel ad hoc (2/25/21) NIH, ZRG1 MDCN-G (05) Panel ad hoc SEP (3/25/21) NIH, ZNS1 SRB-T(49) for NSD-B Panel ad hoc SEP (7/8/21) NIH, ZRG1 MDCN-T(05) Panel ad hoc SEP (7/20/21) NIH, NTRC Panel ad hoc SEP (10/21/21) NSF Merit Review, ad hoc reviewer (2021) (2021)
  • ; Faculty Council Facilities and Space Allocation Policy Committee (2021)
  • ; Graduate student education committee (member) (2021)
  • ; Neuroscience Program Director (2021)
  • ; Natural Sciences Interdisciplinary MS program, Admissions Committee member (2019–2021)
  • ; PPBS Steering committee, member (2019–2021)

School News:

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Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

955 Main Street
Room 3256
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 829-2151
fjsim@buffalo.edu