If knowing is half the battle, then Dr. Scott Whittemore has 40 years of knowledge to take on spinal cord injury. He first stepped into the field in 1986 by becoming one of the founding scientists of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami. There he rose to the rank of full professor and was subsequently recruited to the University of Louisville, where he holds the Henry D. and Marianna Garretson Endowed Professor of Spinal Cord Injury Research. Today he serves as the founding and current director of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center where he remains at the forefront of emerging technologies in the field. The current foci of Dr. Whittmore’s research are fascinating and I can’t wait to dive in!
The problem of proteostasis
Damage to the spinal cord means damage to the central nervous system (CNS). This inhibits the body’s ability to send messages to the brain and can disrupt almost any area of normal function depending on the severity and location of the injury. One of the biggest problems created by damage to the CNS is proteostasis. Proteostasis is a cellular defense mechanism that activates any time a cell is stressed creating an increased misfolded protein load happening in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The result is a state of “ER stress” that triggers an apoptotic response, killing the cell.
Proteostasis isn’t specifically a bad thing because it helps regulate proteins within our cells. However, to a spinal cord injured patient, proteostasis can create a chain reaction that leads to secondary injury, or even death. That is what Dr. Whittemore is trying to prevent with his current research. He and his team are looking at ways to inhibit various components of the proteostasis system and define what happens after spinal cord injury, but it’s complicated. This system encompasses ubiquitin–proteasomal degradation systems, autophagy, unfolded protein response, the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, the E-CHOC response, and the integrated stress response. With so many factors, inhibiting one problematic area likely means triggering another reaction elsewhere. That is why more research is needed!
Once more unto the breach, dear friends
If I could summarize Dr. Whittemore’s 40-year medical research journey in two words, it would be adaptability and perseverance. Throughout his career, he has constantly placed himself on the edge of the unknown to forge a path for new innovations and discoveries. However, he also knew when it was time to change course for the sake of progress. I am thankful that many have had the opportunity to learn from him and that he is still teaching the next generation. I hope you take the time to listen to our entire conversation and that you enjoy it as much as I did!