People

Xin Duan, PhD

Assistant Professor

Ophthalmology

Research in my laboratory focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of neural circuit wiring and rewiring, using the mouse retina as a model, with the goal to reconstruct neural circuits and restore physiological functions subject to neurological diseases and neuronal injuries. My previous work addressed how defined subtypes of neurons wire up during retinal development (Duan et al Cell, 2014), and how defined subtypes of retinal ganglion cells mediate axon regeneration in response to injury (Duan et al, Neuron, 2015).

Dena Dubal, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

Neurology

[email protected]

We investigate molecular underpinnings of brain resilience in aging and neurodegenerative disease – through study of the hormone klotho and research on sex chromosomes. Our research spans discovery at the intersection between mechanisms of aging and neurodegenerative disease. We use a wide variety of techniques to uncover cellular and molecular mechanisms using cellular models, mouse models, and human populations.

Felice Dunn, PhD

Assistant Professor

Ophthalmology

[email protected]

Anatomy and function of retinal circuits under normal and disease states

Robert Edwards, MD

Professor

Neurology

[email protected]

The Synaptic Basis of Behavior

The nervous system encodes information through the timing and frequency of action potentials. Synapses process this input by determining which features of the firing pattern release neurotransmitter. However, we do not understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for extracting this information, making it difficult to understand the function of neural circuits, their role in behavior and their dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disease.

Pamela England, PhD

Associate Professor

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

[email protected]

Chemical Neurobiology: Ion Channel Structure-Function, Synaptic Plasticity

One of the most amazing properties of the mammalian central nervous system is its ability to process and store information. Changes in the strength of synapses appear to underlie such learning and memory. Major research efforts in our group are directed towards understanding the molecular basis for this synaptic plasticity. We use a combination of synthetic organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and electrophysiology in our research.

Current Projects