Dr. Dana M. Cairns began her academic journey at Siena College, which included a transformative semester abroad at the University of Queensland in Australia. After graduation, she joined Americorps, where a close connection led her to a teaching role at a bilingual school in Argentina—an experience she describes as one of the most rewarding of her life. Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Cairns took on a research technician role at Tufts Medical School. This position sparked her drive for deeper scientific inquiry, leading her to pursue a Ph.D. in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology at Tufts. Dr. Cairns’ diverse experiences and dedication to research have shaped her path and commitment to advancing science in impactful ways.

For Dr. Cairns, the journey into life sciences was not meticulously planned. As the first in her family to attend a four-year university, she entered the field with curiosity and was guided by the intriguing opportunities that presented themselves. This openness to new experiences has led her to the forefront of Alzheimer’s disease research, where she now utilizes hiNSCs to create in vitro models for studying the role of herpesviruses in the development of neurodegenerative conditions.

Today, Dr. Cairns’ work focuses on understanding the link between herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a relationship that could lead to groundbreaking preventative strategies. By utilizing hiNSCs to model AD, Dr. Cairns and her team can delve into the nuances of how HSV-1 affects the brain, particularly in individuals with a specific gene variant, APOE4, which increases susceptibility to the disease. Her research brings us one step closer to understanding the viral mechanisms that may contribute to Alzheimer’s, paving the way for potentially transformative therapeutic approaches.

The Human Induced Neural Stem Cell Line (hiNSC-DLK) emerged from Dr. Cairns’ work with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and represents a significant improvement over traditional neuronal models.

The hiNSC-DLK line is specifically engineered for efficient, one-step differentiation into TUJ1-positive neurons in just a few days. This streamlined process offers a faster alternative to iPSC-based neuronal systems, which often require lengthy, multistep protocols. Not only does this efficiency make hiNSC-DLK ideal for time-sensitive research, but its stability ensures consistent neuronal characteristics in both co-cultures and in vivo environments.

Uniquely, the hiNSC-DLK line also carries the APOE4 allele, making it particularly valuable for Alzheimer’s disease research by providing a model to study genetic risk factors associated with neurodegeneration.

Dr. Cairns’ lab and collaborators have generated over 20 peer-reviewed publications to date using hiNSCs. These studies span multiple disciplines and applications including 3D human brain tissue models, traumatic brain injury, models of infection, innervated human co-culture systems (such as skin, cornea, and intestine), and humanized in vivo models.

hiNSCs have also been employed in innovative research, such as functional assays for biological robots. With its robust properties and rapid differentiation capabilities, the hiNSC-DLK line is a valuable asset for advancing studies in neuroscience and beyond.

Dr. Cairns emphasizes the importance of enjoying laboratory work and finding passion in research topics when pursuing a career in life sciences. She highlights the value of developing resilience, as peer review and constructive criticism are essential for scientific progress. Using feedback to improve work is a critical skill for success in the field.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Cairns enjoys hiking, traveling, exploring fine scotch, and watching reality television. A fun fact about Dr. Cairns? She has a puggle named Chewy Lewis, whose goofy and playful personality never fails to bring joy and laughter to her day!