Gillies, George T.
Primary Appointment
Professor of Research, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Education
- BS, Physics, North Dakota State University
- MS/PhD, Engineering Physics, University of Virginia
Contact Information
PO Box 400746
Mae Bldg., 105
Telephone: 434-924-7634
Email: gtg@virginia.edu
Website: http://www.virginia.edu/romac/
Research Disciplines
Biophysics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Translational Science
Research Interests
Design of novel neurosurgical instrumentation systems, including magnetic stereotactic devices
Research Description
Our research centers on the development of magnetic stereotaxis and medical magnetic manipulation systems for use in neurosurgical, neuroradiological, and other clinical applications. Magnetic stereotaxis is a technique for using magnetic fields and gradients outside the patients head as a means of navigating an implanted device such as a drug delivery catheter or an intracerebrovascular probe for thrombosing aneurysms. An important part of this effort is the design and prototyping of novel neurosurgical instruments and technologies used in conjunction with magnetic stereotaxis or in related surgical procedures. Other research includes studies of spinal mechanics and the kinematics of the suboccipital region of the craniomandibular complex, the development of stem cell-based techniques for the treatment of Parkinsons disease, and the development of antisense gene therapy strategies for neoplastic diseases of the central nervous system.