Research
Research programs in which primary faculty members of the Department of Cell and Neurobiology (CNB) participate are diverse. Fundamental hypotheses that address basic mechanisms of cell and tissue function, and how these functions are perturbed in disease are probed through basic and translational research programs. Many CNB faculty members are investigators in the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute (ZNI). The ZNI, founded in 2003, is addressing issues relevant to brain diseases and disorders. CNB faculty members are focused on 1) understanding the genetic and environmental basis for brain diseases, 2) defining factors that increase risk for brain disorders and 3) translating basic research discoveries to develop new intervention and treatment strategies. ZNI investigators perform studies using a variety of animal model systems (drosophila, C. Elegans, zebra fish, mice and rats) and clinical populations. Some CNB faculty members also are investigators in the Broad Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. Founded in 2006, investigators study fundamental properties of developing hematopoietic, connective, muscle and neural cells and tissues, with the goal of harnessing the power of regenerative potential to renew and differentiate specific cell types. This in turn will help develop new therapeutic strategies for diseases as diverse as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and neurodegeneration. CNB also has faculty members who have research programs that focus on understanding the basics of reproductive physiology, neural growth control, restoration of neural functions through activity, and endocrine cell function and pathophysiology. There are a number of faculty members in the Keck School of Medicine and the House Ear Institute that have secondary faculty appointments. Their research programs are diverse and can be examined on individual faculty web sites.
Research core facilities are established in the Broad Institute and the ZNI. These include 1) light and ultrastructural imaging, 2) stem cell production, 3) drug discovery, 4) next-gen sequencing, 5) fluorescence cell sorting, 6) preparative biochemistry, 7) in utero, brain and cellular gene transfer methods and 8) molecular biology. Please visit the web sites of the institutes for more information.