Robert M. Brenner

Ph.D., Boston University, 1955
Senior Scientist, Division of Reproductive Sciences
Oregon Regional Primate Research Center
Joint Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology

My research is focused on the mechanism of action of estrogens, progestins, antiprogestins, and androgens within the cells of the reproductive tract in nonhuman primates. These steroids act through specific nuclear receptors at the genomic level and have profound effects on growth, differentiation,and secretion throughout the male and female tract. The work has revealed that stromal cells play very important roles in regulating the responseof the epithelial cells to steroids in the primate reproductive tract; current research aims to discover the role of hepatocyte growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor in mediating these effects. New work assesses VEGF and its receptors in endometrial angiogenesis. Considerable work on the roleof antiprogestins and matrix metalloproteinases in menstrual bleeding isalso being conducted. This work is relevant to the understanding of endometrial adenocarcinoma, endometriosis, menorrhagia, and other reproductive tract diseases. The laboratory can provide training in steroid receptor assays, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and reproductive endocrinology.

Rudolph-Owen LA, Slayden OD, Matrisian LM and Brenner RM. (1998) Matrix metalloproteinase expression in Macaca mulatta endometrium: Evidence for zone-specific regulatory tissue gradients. Biol Reprod, 59: 1349-1359.

Slayden, OD, NR Nayak, KA Burton, K Chwalisz, ST Cameron, HOD Critchley, DT Baird and RM Brenner (2001) Progesterone antagonists increase androgen receptor expression in the rhesus macaque and human endometrium. J. Clin Endocrinology and Metabolism. 86:2668-2679.

To contact Dr. Brenner directly: brennerr@ohsu.edu