Areas of Research
 Axel
Brunger Axel Brunger's goal is to understand the molecular mechanism of calcium-triggered synaptic neurotransmitter release. He is particularly interested in the structure, function, and dynamics of key players in the synaptic vesicle fusion machinery. His lab is also working on the mechanism of action of neuronal adhesion proteins and their role in determining properties of the synapse. Lab website |
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 Chris Garcia Structural and functional studies of transmembrane receptor interactions with their ligands in systems relevant to human health and disease - primarily in immunity, infection, and neurobiology. We study these problems using protein engineering, structural, biochemical, and combinatorial biology approaches. Lab website |
 Miriam
GoodmanMechanisms of mechano- and thermo-transduction in C. elegans. Analysis of mutations in sensory transduction complexes using patch clamp recordings of identified neurons in vivo. Structure-function and pharmacological studies of putative transduction channel proteins. Patterns of gene expression in identified sensory neurons using single-cell RT-PCR. Lab website |
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 Brian
Kobilka Molecular structure of adrenergic receptors and conformational changes that mediate signal transduction. Intracellular targeting and trafficking of adrenergic receptors. Analysis of adrenergic subtype diversity in transgenic mice. Lab website |
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 Richard
Lewis Calcium signaling mechanisms in lymphocytes. Generation of calcium signals by channels, pumps and organelles, and the effects of calcium dynamics on the specificity of T-cell gene expression. In vivo calcium imaging with two-photon microscopy. Patch-clamp studies of the biophysics and regulation of store-operated calcium channels. |
 Dan
Madison Mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity in mammalian hippocampus using electrophysiological techniques. Study of long-term potentiation and mechanisms underlying memory formation in the central nervous system. Lab website |
 Merritt
MadukeStructure and function of ClC-type chloride ion channels. Direct structural studies of overexpressed bacterial ClC homologues. Mechanistic studies, using macroscopic techniques and single-channel analysis, of eukaryotic ClC channels. Lab Website |
 Maxence NachuryWe study the primary cilium, a once-obscure cellular organelle recently "re-discovered" for its role in a number of signaling pathways. Defects in cilium biogenesis lead to a variety of hereditary disorders characterized by retinal degeneration, kidney cysts and obesity. Our goal is to characterize these disorders at the molecular and cellular levels to gain insight into the basic mechanisms of primary cilium biogenesis and to discover novel ciliary signaling pathways. Lab Website |
 James
Nelson Mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity. Molecular and cellular analysis of protein sorting, cell-cell adhesion proteins, and interactions with the cytoskeleton. Lab Website |
 Stephen
Smith Cellular mechanisms of brain development and function. Analysis of dynamic structural aspects of synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity and patterning of electrical activity in the brain using sophisticated optical imaging techniques. Lab Website |
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 Thomas C. Südhof Information transfer at synapses mediates information processing in brain, and is impaired in many brain diseases. Thomas Südhof is interested in how synapses are formed, how presynaptic terminals release neurotransmitters at synapses, and how synapses become dysfunctional in diseases such as autism or Alzheimer's disease. To address these questions, Südhof's laboratory employs approaches ranging from biophysical studies to the electrophysiological and behavioral analyses of mutant mice. |
 Richard
Tsien Presynaptic signaling involving calcium channels, vesicular fusion and recycling. Molecular communication between synaptic activity, local protein synthesis and long-range control of nuclear transcription. Mechanisms of memory at the molecular, cellular and systems levels. Lab website |
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 William
Weis Our laboratory studies molecular interactions that underlie the establishment and maintenance of cell and tissue structure. Our specific areas of interest are the targeted delivery of proteins to intracellular membranes, the architecture and dynamics of intercellular adhesion junctions, and signaling pathways that govern cell fate determination. We also have a long-standing interest in carbohydrate-based cellular recognition and adhesion. |
