Neuroscience Faculty

Research/Areas of Interest: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that results in loss of memory and cognitive function, eventually leading to dementia. A key neuropathological event in AD is the cerebral accumulation of senile plaques formed by aggregates of amyloid-beta-peptides derived from serial proteolysis of the amyloid precursor protein by BACE1 and gamma-secretase. Our studies have revealed a novel mechanism of BACE1 regulation mediated by the BACE1-interacting molecule GGA3. We are probing the molecular mechanisms with a long range goal of understanding AD pathogenesis.

Research/Areas of Interest: Astroglia is the most abundant non-neuronal cell type in mammalian central nervous system (CNS), actively participating in many CNS physiology and pathology. The main areas of research in the lab center on neuron to (astro)glial signaling in postnatal development and pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases AD and ALS, neurodevelopmental disorders FXS, and others. These include the molecular mechanisms that regulate functional astroglial maturation during postnatal development, especially the role of neuronal signals; exosome-mediated communication between neurons and glia, and mechanisms of astroglial dysfunction in neurological diseases/disorders.