Humayun, Mark
Professor of Ophthalmology, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Engineering
Retinal research to restore vision using bioelectronics and stem cells
Ichida, Justin
Associate Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
We are interested in understanding mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. We also aim to develop new therapeutic strategies for these disorders.
Jakowec, Michael
Professor of Clinical Pharmacy (Teaching)
The primary focus of research in Dr. Jakowec’s laboratory is to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in neuroplasticity in the injured brain with the emphasis on the basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex, regions of the brain responsible for motor and cognitive behaviors.The overarching goal is to find improved therapeutic approaches for brain disorders especially Parkinson’s disease and drug addiction. For the past 20 years the laboratory has examined the effects of exercise on promoting neuroplasticity, particularly synaptogenesis in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. In addition to non-pharmacological approaches to promote brain repair, ongoing studies are using an experimental therapeutics approach to explore pharmacological interventions to determine if novel drugs can serve as a means to enhance brain repair, especially in the context of exercise. Recent studies have focused on the mechanisms by which astrocytes support neuronal function as well as mechanisms by which boosting mitochondrial integrity can promote improved functional connectivity and restoration of motor and cognitive behaviors.
Kalluri, Radha
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology
Physiology of the Inner Ear Laboratory focuses on understanding the physical and physiological mechanisms underlying sensory transduction in the inner ear, with the ultimate goal of understanding how disease and injury impair function. The lab. studies sensory transduction in the auditory and vestibular systems both at the cellular and system level using electrophysiology and biophysical modeling. Our work relies heavily on the interplay between quantitative analysis, theoretical modeling and experimental neuroscience.
Kamitakahara, Anna
Assistant Professor of Research
Research in the Kamitakahara Laboratory investigates how genes and the environment shape the development and mature function of the neural circuits controlling feeding behavior. Specific topics examined include: 1) the impact of perinatal nutrition on gut-brain signaling of satiation and reward-based feeding behaviors, and 2) the genetic and biological contributions to inter-individual differences in response to GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment. Mechanistic understanding of neural activity and feeding behavior is probed using advanced techniques such as bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, highly multiplexed in situ hybridization, and metabolic cage phenotyping. Through delineation of the genes and dietary factors that shape feeding behavior, research in the Kamitakahara lab aims to provide insight into the biological mechanisms underlying overconsumption and cardiometabolic disease.
Kay, Steve A.
Our laboratory studies the construction and dynamics of complex genetic networks that underlie circadian rhythms in humans, animals and plants. We also develop and use cutting-edge technologies for measuring transcription in live cells, tissues and intact organisms. We use large scale datasets of gene expression or protein content combined with genetics, bioinformatics and computational tools (mathematical modeling), chemical screens and more conventional biochemical approaches. Ultimately our aim is to scale our understanding of the dynamics of circadian clocks from the systems level down to atomic resolution mechanism. We have a strong commitment to translation of our research, in the case of humans for novel cancer drug discovery. We are currently focussing on targeting clock proteins in glioblastoma stem cells, in order to develop novel therapeutics.
