Scott Olson
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
McGovern Medical School
Department of Pediatric Surgery
Dr. Olson is an academic researcher with experience developing studies with translational applications. At UT Health, his primary focus is bringing his expertise in the field of adult stem cells, specifically MSC, to explore their potential in the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). MSC have been used in a number of completed, ongoing, and proposed clinical trials with reported therapeutic benefits. Dr. Olson strives to better describe the role of MSC in TBI injuries, highlighting their innate therapeutic abilities in an effort to create an improved treatment for TBI.
Projects/Techniques: In our lab, we are employing mixed cell cultures to describe mechanisms of MSC-leukocyte interactions. We utilize primary cells from human and animal sources and a variety of cell lines to perform mixed leukocyte reactions, cytokine assays by ELISA and western blot, flow cytometry, fluorescent immunostaining, and fluorescence-based assays for proteins, enzyme activity, and functional measures of cellular behavior (like reactive oxygen species or calcium signaling). Additionally we are exploring alginate-based hydrogels as a potential delivery vehicle for therapeutic cells to increase therapeutic effect and safety of cellular-based therapies. Our work is mostly pre-translational and translational in nature, utilizing GLP techniques and reagents to facilitate the transition to clinical usage.
McGovern Medical School Faculty
Education & Training
Ph.D. - Tulane University School of Medicine - 2007