Michael Dailey

Michael Dailey is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, affiliated with the Department of Biology and Carver College of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Carver Center for Imaging (CCI) and leads a research laboratory focused on glial cell structure and function in mammalian brain development and pathology.

• PhD, Washington University (St. Louis)

Research Interests

Dr. Dailey’s work investigates microglial biology in brain development and injury response, with specific projects on:

• Purinergic signaling pathways regulating microglial activation
• Environmental toxicants (alcohol, pesticides) in neurodevelopmental disorders
• Microglial survival mechanisms in stroke models
• Neuroimmune interactions during developmental brain injury
• Advanced imaging techniques for live tissue analysis

Recent Research Trends

His 2025-2024 studies examine PCB exposure impacts on brain gene expression and maternal pesticide effects on fetal neurodevelopment. Earlier work from 2019-2013 explores alcohol-induced neuroinflammation, microglial dynamics in hippocampal injury, and imaging methodologies.

Collaborations & Funding

Dr. Dailey collaborates with Pediatrics and Neurology Departments (Carver College of Medicine) and Pharmacy/Public Health Colleges. His research on pesticide exposure receives funding from the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS/NIH P30 ES005605).

Laboratory

The Dailey Lab (established 1996) specializes in time-lapse fluorescence imaging of rodent brain tissues to study neuronal-glial interactions, with strengths in confocal and multiphoton microscopy. The lab website provides further details on ongoing projects.