My
laboratory studies synaptic modulation in the hippocampus and
cortex of the mammalian brain. Our recent work has focused on
the physiologic roles of endogenous cannabinoids and nerve growth
factors in various forms of synaptic plasticity that are important
for learning and memory. These systems are currently major targets
for the development of novel therapeutics for neurologic and
neurodegenerative disease.
Another area of interest focuses on the neuronal and synaptic deficits in autism, Angelman syndrome, and related neurodevelopmental disorders. This project involves electrical recordings, calcium imaging, and immunocytochemical analysis of human brain neurons grown in culture. In collaboration with Dr. Stormy Chamberlain and Dr. Marc Lalande, these studies use inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) that are derived from human skin cells and then reprogrammed to differentiate into neurons. We are interested in comparing the functional properties of neurons from patients with autism or Angelman syndrome vs. healthy controls.
My laboratory also has an ongoing collaboration with the lab of Dr. Richard Mains and Dr. Betty Eipper to study the role of Kalirin, a family of proteins that regulates synaptic structure and function. This project involves a combination of morphological, biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral analyses of mice with a conditional knockout of the Kalirin-7 gene. We are particularly interested in the role of Kalirin in shaping the behavior of dendritic spines.
