Demet Araç-Özkan, PhD

Associate Professor

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Our lab studies the mechanisms by which adhesion-type G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) function in the brain. One of our current goals is to decipher the role of the newly discovered GAIN domain in the function of the adhesion GPCR using a combination of biophysical, biochemical and cell biological (…)

Robert Carrillo, PhD

Assistant Professor

Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology

DARN Program Director

The long term goals of the lab are to understand the molecules and developmental programs that regulate neuronal development and wiring. In a previous study, we investigated the biology of the novel interactions between two subfamilies of the immunoglobulin superfamily in Drosophila (…)

Ruth Anne Eatock, PhD

Professor

Neurobiology

Dean for Faculty Affairs

The vestibular inner ear encodes head motion and position in signals initiated and shaped by mechanosensitive and voltage-gated ion channels of sensory receptor cells (hair cells), transmitted by extraordinary mechanisms to afferent neurons, and translated into spike trains by voltage-gated (…)

William Green, PhD

Professor

Neurobiology

My research is focused on ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors, the receptors responsible for the rapid postsynaptic response in nerve and muscle. These receptors are large oligomeric membrane proteins with subunits surrounding an ion channel that opens when (…)

Elizabeth Heckscher, PhD

Assistant Professor

Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology

To study the molecular, cellular, & developmental basis of behavior, we use Drosophila larval sensorimotor system as a model system. In Drosophila larvae we can span multiple levels of analysis, from molecular and cellular biology to organismal behavior. We have two main interests: neural circuit development and the neural basis (…)

Paschalis Kratsios, PhD

Assistant Professor

Neurobiology

Our lab uses the specific strengths of C. elegans and mice to reveal the gene regulatory mechanisms that control motor neuron development and function. We employ novel methodology, such as whole genome sequencing, CRISPR genome editing, ATAC-seq and cell type-specific transcriptome profiling. Our laboratory aims to (…)

Daniel McGehee, PhD

Professor

Anesthesia and Critical Care

The focus of research in the McGehee Lab is the functional role of neuronal nAChRs, under normal conditions and when exposed to applied nicotine. An interesting, but confounding problem in the field is that although nAChRs are expressed throughout the brain and spinal cord, there is very little direct evidence that they mediate synaptic transmission. That is, there are relatively (…)

Engin Özkan, PhD

Assistant Professor

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Our Laboratory is striving to understand the development and functioning of the nervous system through structural biology and biochemistry. We are interested in protein-protein interactions and their molecular underpinnings that govern how neurons function and are regulated by their environment. (…)

Victoria E. Prince, PhD

Professor

Organismal Biology and Anatomy

Dean for Graduate Education

The Prince Lab’s research program has evolved and expanded from an initial fascination with the regionalization of developing vertebrate animals.  This interest led to a focus on the Hox genes, which play a major role in conferring regional identity.  Using the zebrafish as our primary model, we took a deep dive into the organization, function and (…)

Clifton Warren Ragsdale, PhD

Professor

Neurobiology

Organismal Biology and Anatomy

Xiaochang Zhang, PhD

Assistant Professor

Human Genetics

We study fundamental mechanisms of brain development with the ultimate goal of diagnosing and treating neurological disorders. Current research centers on: neuron types in the cerebral cortex, RNA splicing and neural development, and neurodevelopmental disorders. (…)

Xiaoxi Zhuang, PhD

Professor

Neurobiology

We investigate the molecular machinery underlying synaptic plasticity and information processing in the brain. We are especially interested in synaptic mechanisms supporting reinforcement learning, economic decision making and motor control. Our main approaches include mouse genetics, fly genetics, optogenetics, animal (…)