Michael D. Powell, Ph.D. 

Education

GRADUATE:
The University of Texas at Dallas 
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular and Cell Biology

The University of Texas at Dallas
Degree: Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology

The University of Texas at Arlington
Degree: Master of Science in Microbiology 

UNDERGRADUATE:
The University of Texas at Arlington
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Microbiology 

Research Interests

Neurologic consequences of HIV infection:

My research interests center about the role of extra cellular vesicles (EVs) in the pathogenesis of HIV.  We have shown that the expression of HIV protein Nef in HEK293 cells induces the production of EVs.  Our latest research suggests that EVs play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV associated neurological disorders (HAND). Brain cells (SH-SY5Y) treated with Nef EVs secrete more amyloid beta.  Since amyloid beta has been associated with cognitive disorders it could provide a link between HIV infection and neurological dysfunction.

This project is funded in part by NIMHD grant 5R21NS105577

Traditional African treatment for HIV/AIDS:
We have also been working with traditional healers in Senegal (Prometra) to investigate an herbal treatment for HIV/AIDS.  We have shown that water soluble extracts from medicinal plants contain a potent antiviral activity.  We are working to understand the mechanism of action of these plant extracts as a potential treatment for HIV/AIDS.  We are also interested in other medicinal plants to better understand these alternative treatments.

Please see the documentary film produced by the Andrew Young Foundation “Strong Medicine” for more information about this project:

https://youtu.be/JQkiswWChy4

https://youtu.be/UXu9TH-RZQ0

Core facilities:
I am also involved in the management of the Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) at Morehouse School of Medicine.  This facility was recently funded through a U54 grant from NIH (2U54 MD007602) 

Publications

Matrix Signaling Subsequent to a Myocardial Infarction: A Proteomic Profile of Tissue Factor Microparticles.

Akpalu D, Newman G, Brice M, Powell M, Singh R, Quarshie A, Ofili E, Fonger J, Chronos N, Feldman D.

JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2017 Oct 30;2(5):529-542. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2017.04.004. eCollection 2017 Oct.

PMID:30062169  Free PMC Article

Detection of HIV-1 and Human Proteins in Urinary Extracellular Vesicles from HIV+ Patients.

Anyanwu SI, Doherty A, Powell MD, Obialo C, Huang MB, Quarshie A, Mitchell C, Bashir K, Newman GW.

Adv Virol. 2018 Mar 12;2018:7863412. doi: 10.1155/2018/7863412. eCollection 2018.

PMID:29721020  Free PMC Article

Tsg101 chaperone function revealed by HIV-1 assembly inhibitors.

Strickland M, Ehrlich LS, Watanabe S, Khan M, Strub MP, Luan CH, Powell MD, Leis J, Tjandra N, Carter CA.

Nat Commun. 2017 Nov 9;8(1):1391. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01426-2.

PMID:29123089  Free PMC Article

Isolation of Exosomes from the Plasma of HIV-1 Positive Individuals.

Konadu KA, Huang MB, Roth W, Armstrong W, Powell M, Villinger F, Bond V.

J Vis Exp. 2016 Jan 5;(107). doi: 10.3791/53495.

PMID:26780239  Free PMC Article

Micro RNA in Exosomes from HIV-Infected Macrophages.

Roth WW, Huang MB, Addae Konadu K, Powell MD, Bond VC.

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Dec 22;13(1):ijerph13010032. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13010032.

PMID:26703692  Free PMC Article

Characterizing the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States and China.

Huang MB, Ye L, Liang BY, Ning CY, Roth WW, Jiang JJ, Huang JG, Zhou B, Zang N, Powell MD, Liang H, Bond VC.

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Dec 22;13(1):ijerph13010030. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13010030.

PMID:26703667

Click here to view additional publications.

Honors and Awards

2013: Outstanding Teaching Award (MSM 2^nd year Medical Students) 

2012: Outstanding Teaching Award (MSM 2^nd year Medical Students) 

2011: Outstanding Teaching Award (MSM 2^nd year Medical Students) 

2009: Outstanding Teaching Award (MSM 2^nd year Medical Students)