Matthew Benskey, PhD

• Assistant Professor

• Department of Translational Neuroscience
• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

• Grand Rapids Research Center
• 400 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
• benskeym@msu.edu

Biography

Dr. Matthew Benskey joined the Department of Translational Neuroscience at Michigan State University as an Assistant Professor in 2021. He received his undergraduate training in Psychology and Neuroscience at Central Michigan University, followed by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Michigan State University. Dr. Benskey then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Translational Neuroscience, where his research focused on the molecular neurobiology of Parkinson’s disease—specifically, how viral vectors can be used to both model and to treat neurodegenerative pathology. Today, Dr. Benskey’s research centers on understanding how neuro-immune interactions contribute to the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Outside the lab, Dr. Benskey enjoys painting, reading, playing guitar, and exploring the outdoors with his dogs.

• Dr. Benskey's Pubmed publications

Benskey's Lab

Education

Research Interests

Dr. Benskey’s research is focused on understanding how perturbations in specific proteins, such as alpha synuclein and tau, can elicit a potentially toxic neuroinflammatory response. Current studies focus on the molecular mechanism by which glia (microglia and astrocytes) coordinate neuroinflammation and degeneration, the role complement activation plays in driving inflammation in neurodegenerative disease, and mechanisms regulating synaptic pruning in health and disease. Dr. Benskey’s research program integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, cell culture, in vivo animal models, gene therapy, and human neuropathology to uncover how immune signaling influences neuronal health and disease, with the ultimate goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets.  

Technical Expertise

• Viral Vector design, production and application (adeno-associated virus, lentivirus)
• Molecular biology
• Biochemistry
• Cell Culture
• Immunohistochemistry/Immunofluorescence/Histology
• Microscopy (brightfield, confocal)
• Gene expression analysis (qPCR/ddPCR)
• Small animal surgery
• Rodent behavioral analysis
• Preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease/Alzheimer’s disease