Sergio Ojeda

DVM, University of Chile, 1968
Head, Neuroscience Division, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center
Adjunct Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology

Dr. Ojeda's main area of interest is the neuroendocrine control of female sexual development. His research efforts are focused on two principal topics: a) the role of glial-neuronal interactions and intercellular signaling in the regulation of the hypothalamic neuronal network that produces luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, the neuropeptide that controls reproductive function, and b) the regulation of ovarian function by the peripheral nervous system and target-derived neurotrophic factors. Both fields of study employ a combination of physiological, biochemical, cellular and molecular techniques. Currently, Dr. Ojeda's research program focuses on the involvement of growth factors and transcriptional regulators in controlling both the maturation of the reproductive hypothalamus and differentiation of ovarian functions.

Mayerhofer, A, Smith, G.D., Danilchik, M., Levine, J.E., Wolf, D.P., Dissen, G.A., and S.R. Ojeda (1998) Oocytes are a source of catecholamines in the primate ovary: Evidence for a cell-cell regulatory loop. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:10990-10995.

Ma, Y.J., Hill, D.F., Creswick, K.E., Costa, M.E., Cornea, A., Liobin, M.N., Plowman, G.D., and Ojeda, S.R. (1999) Neuregulins signaling via a glial erbB2/erbB4 receptor complex contribute to the neuroendocrine control of mammalian sexual development. J. Neurosci. 19:9913-9927.

Lee, B.J., Cho, G.J., Norgren, Jr., R.B., Junier, M.-P., Hill, D.F., Tapia, V., Costa, M.E., and Ojeda, S.R. (2001) TTF-1, a homeodomain gene required for diencephalic morphogenesis, is postnatally expressed in the neuroendocrine brain in a developmentally regulated and cell-specific fashion. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 17:107-126.

To contact Dr. Ojeda directly: ojedas@ohsu.edu