Chris Reed
COURSES TAUGHT
BMS 202 - Anatomy/Physiology Lecture
BMS 202 - Anatomy/Physiology Laboratory
BMS 208 - Anatomy
EDUCATION
Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of Pittsburgh, 2006
M.A. (Anthropology) University of South Carolina, 1998
B.A. (Anthropology) Mississippi State University, 1994
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research focuses on human craniofacial growth and development, with specific attention to the closure of cranial sutures. My current project is investigating the structure of non-human primate dura mater. The dura mater has been shown to be a source of genetic regulation of and mechanical influence on the closure of the cranial sutures. Both of the genetic and mechanical effects on suture closure may be related to the density and orientation of the regions of the dura deep to the cranial sutures. For instance, previous research in a rabbit model has indicated that the regions of the dura deep to the coronal suture does indeed contain a denser arrangement of collagen fibers when compared to the rest of the structure, which might provide increased genetic signaling and mechanical force to stimulate suture closure. In order to continue this line of investigation, my research students and I currently are in the nascent stages of a project to evaluate the density and orientation of collagen fibers in the dura mater of non-human primates. The organization of collagen in the dural section associated with the sutures could indicate a significant influence on the closure of cranial sutures. If the primate model yields positive results, we hope to move directly to human dura mater.