Matthew Churchward

Education:

PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary
BSc, Biochemistry, McMaster University

Postdoctoral research:

School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
Neurochemical Research Unit, University of Alberta

Research interests:

Biochemistry and Cell Biology to study the relationship between inflammatory cells in the brain and mental health.

How modifiable lifestyle factors can impact the cells of the brain (e.g. diet and gut health through the gut-brain axis) and the interaction of brain cells with implanted therapeutic devices (e.g. cochlear implants, intraspinal microstimulation electrodes, and brain-computer interfaces).

Key Courses:

BIO 201/BES 107 Cell Biology
BIOCH310/BIOCH320 Biochemistry
BIO 421 Bioinformatics
BIO 344 Neurochemistry

Selected Publications:

Churchward MA, Michaud ER, Mullish BH, Miguens Blanco J, Garcia Perez I, Marchesi JR, Xu H, Kao D, Todd KG. 2023. Short-chain fatty and carboxylic acid changes associated with fecal microbiota transplant communally influence microglial inflammation. Heliyon. 9(6):e16908. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16908.

Tsui CT, Lal P, Fox KVR, Churchward MA, Todd KG. 2022. The effects of electrical stimulation on glial cell behaviour. BMC Biomed Eng. 4(1):7. doi:10.1186/s42490-022-00064-0.

Tsui CT, MacGillivray SR, Weber SM, McAllister L, Churchward MA, Dennison CR, Todd KG. 2021. Applying a novel 3D hydrogel cell culture to investigate the activation of microglia due to rotational kinematics associated with mild traumatic brain injury. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 114:104176. doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104176.

Churchward MA, Michaud ER, Todd KG. 2019. Supporting microglial niches for therapeutic benefit in psychiatric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 94:109648. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109648.

Churchward MA, Tchir DR, Todd KG. 2018. Microglial Function during Glucose Deprivation: Inflammatory and Neuropsychiatric Implications. Mol Neurobiol. 55(2):1477–1487. doi:10.1007/s12035-017-0422-9.