Today in Powell Hall Dr. Brian Harfe will be presenting his latest finding on the development of the intervertebral discs at 4 p.m.

Not only does he teach at the University of Florida College of Medicine, but Dr. Harfe is the director of the Developmental Genetics program at the University of Florida. Also, according to the University of Florida, Dr. Harfe is a multi-award winning professor.

Valdosta State University has the pleasure of having him for our Science Seminar 2013. Harfe will spend an hour identifying the molecular pathways required for forming the intervertebral disks. He’ll be investigating the cells and genes responsible for disk formation.

“The long-term goal of this project is to develop cell-based therapies to heal damaged and/or degrading disks in humans,” Harfe said.

The first goal is to identify the cells that form the intervertebral discs and the role the hedgehog signaling pathway plays in disc formation.

The hedgehog signaling pathway sends information to embryonic cells that are required for proper spinal development. The second major goal Harfe has in mind is investigating the mechanical mechanisms responsible for disc formation during development.

Through Harfe’s work the medical world will be able to stop vertebrates from deteriorating due to aging.

“Age-related changes in the intervertebral disks are thought to cause most cases of back pain,” he said. “Presently there is no cure for disk degeneration.”

Over the years, Dr. Harfe has acquired awards such as: University of Florida Exemplary Teacher (from years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012), 2004 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associated Universities and The E.I. du Pont De Nemours Company award for excellence in teaching from The Johns Hopkins University just to name a few.