Genetic Analysis of Synaptic Structure and Function

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Neurons are brain cells. My research addresses fundamental questions about how neurons develop and how they work. Importantly, we try to figure out how neurons process and transmit information, which is the basic function of the nervous system. Since our studies are at the level of genes, molecules, and cells all of the knowledge we create will be at the foundation of a general understanding of the brain and nervous system. We will make important contributions to understanding neural phenomenon such as locomotion, information processing, and learning & memory. In addition, many of the genes and molecules we work on have links to human disease processes. For example, one molecule we work on is linked to schizophrenia and we are developing data that may link it to cancer. Another molecule is linked to Griscelli syndrome, while yet another is implicated in May-Heglin anomaly. Altogether, our work has the potential to advance the basic understanding of neural development and function and contribute to improvements in human health by elucidating the cellular function of specific molecules.