Thomas Jefferson University · BiologyVagal Neurobiology Research Lab
James Schwaber · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. James Schwaber's lab focuses on understanding how certain neurons in the brainstem help control the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in heart health. By studying the molecular mechanisms within these neurons, the lab aims to find ways to enhance vagal activity to protect against heart diseases. This research has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions related to low cardiac vagal outflow.
vagus nerveheart diseasecardioprotectionbrainstem neuronsmicroRNA regulationneurogeneticsautonomic nervous systemischemic preconditioninggene regulatory networkssystems biology
Research Aims
3AIM 01Identify the central neurons in the brainstem that influence vagal control of the heart.
AIM 02Determine the molecular mechanisms in DMV neurons that can enhance vagal outflow.
AIM 03Investigate the microRNA regulation patterns in DMV neurons during cardioprotective interventions.
Skills the Lab Values
molecular techniquesgene expression analysisneuroanatomysingle neuron isolationimmunohistochemistryin situ hybridizationmicroRNA analysiscomputational modelingdata integrationexperimental design
Output against the department
Publications217top 29% of dept.300th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations6.2kbottom 45% of dept.570th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.