The cellular and molecular neuroscience group uses state-of-the art experimental techniques to investigate the molecular machinery driving the development, plasticity, and degeneration of the nervous system. Research areas include the regulation of synapse formation, signaling cascades in phototransduction, development of sensory systems, learning, and memory formation.

Aranda-Espinoza, Helim, Bioengineering

We are mainly concerned with the spreading, motility and division of cells on flexible substrates. What is the effect of the "mechanical" environment on cells?

Araneda, Ricardo, Biology

In most animals the sense of smell is essential for their survival. For instance, the detection and recognition of odor molecules by the olfactory system allows animals to find sources of food, to detect the presence of predators, and ultimately to find potential mates. Using a combination of imaging and electrophysiology recording techniques, our lab studies how the neuronal circuits of the olfactory bulb participate in the processing of olfactory information.

Brenowitz, Stephan, Acting Chief, Section on Synaptic Transmission,

The Section on Synaptic Transmission investigates the synaptic and biophysical mechanisms that enable neurons to encode and process information. Specifically, we study mechanisms that enable computations in neural circuits of the auditory system. The general question we address is how local circuit interactions shape a neuron's response to physiologically realistic patterns of synaptic inputs, thereby encoding relevant features of sounds. Our experimental approach combines electrophysiology and optical techniques to study synaptic transmission and plasticity in the cochlear nucleus and auditory brainstem. These studies contribute to our understanding of how sensory stimuli are represented by neuronal activity and will enable improvements in treatment of hearing disorders.

Burgess, Shawn, Investigator, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health

Dr. Burgess' Laboratory studies developmental processes and their relation to human genetic disease. His group employs a variety of modern molecular biology methods to identify and functionally characterize novel developmental genes involved in organogenesis of the ear and maintenance of stem cell populations.

Butts, Daniel A., Biology

The NeuroTheory Lab at University of Maryland operates at the interface of neuroscience experiment and theory, using experiments performed by collaborators to ground and validate conceptual frameworks and analytical methodology, and theory to guide experiment design and analysis. Our projects are largely focused on the visual system, where we are studying visual computation in the context of simulated "natural vision" experiments across multiple visual areas (retina, LGN, cortex). There are also projects in other areas including the auditory system, as well as studying synaptic plasticity and brain development. A key component of these projects is the study of how the computations performed by neurons explicitly use time: for example in the temporal patterns of spikes, the relationship to brain rhythms, and particular patterns of activity across neurons.

Carleton, Karen, Biology

Evolution of visual systems and visual communication: genetics of visual system tuning; physical modeling of color signals and visual discrimination. African cichlid fishes serve as a model to explore how natural and sexual selection drive communication. Evolution of rod and cone phototransduction: tuning photoreceptor responsivity through evolution of protein structure and gene expression. A comparative genomic approach utilizing a diversity of vertebrates including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and agnathans.

Castonguay, Thomas, Nutrition and Food Science

I am interested in the mechanisms that control food intake and body composition. In particular, my research focuses on how glucoregulation is achieved and how dietary obesity can be explained in part as a failure of glucoregulation.

Corbin, Joshua, Principal Investigator, Children's National Medical Center,

My lab is interested in the genetic and cellular basis of development of the mammalian amygdala in both normal and pathological conditions. Despite an extensive understanding of amygdala function and anatomy, currently little is known regarding the development of this complex structure and how misdevelopment contributes to human neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and autism spectrum disorders. Using techniques of modern mouse genetics and mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders, we are examining the genetic and cellular processes underlying the generation of amygdala neuronal cell diversity and functional connectivity. The ultimate goal of these studies is to understand the link between brain developmental events and the assembly of the mature amygdala at a genetic, cellular, structural, and functional level.

Dougherty, Lea R., Psychology

Dr. Dougherty's research interests lie broadly in the examination of the etiology and course of depression from a developmental, life-span perspective. Within this domain, her research focuses on two areas: (1) an examination of the developmental origins of neuroendocrine dysfunction in depression, which includes examining linkages between possible endophenotypes for mood disorder and specific genotypes; and (2) understanding the phenomenology of depression in preschoolers and establishing empirically-based assessment approaches for depression, and other mood disorders, in very young children.

Friedman, Thomas, Chief, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institutes of Health

The goal of the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics is to identify, clone and characterize the genes that contribute to communication disorders. The Laboratory of Molecular Genetics has three sections, the Section on Human Genetics, the Section on Gene Structure and Function, and the Section on Murine Genetics. The Section on Human Genetics is studying the genes responsible for hereditary hearing impairment. Improved understanding of the mutated genes will provide important information on hearing and brain processing. The identification of the relevant genes will also permit early and more accurate diagnosis for certain forms of hereditary hearing and communication impairments.

Glasper, Erica, Psychology

How does experience change the structure of the brain? Are the functions of the brain mediated by changes in structural plasticity? Can rewarding experiences protect the aging brain? My laboratory aims to answer these and other related questions by investigating structural plasticity in the adult and aging brain, its alteration by experiences and hormones, with a view toward understanding their functional relevance. To do so, my research focuses on the interactions among rewarding experiences, hippocampal structural plasticity, and hippocampal function. My specific research interests include: (1) examining the interactions among age, rewarding experiences, and hippocampal structural plasticity and function, and (2) examining how paternal experience alters hippocampal structural plasticity and function in a biparental species, the California mouse. My laboratory focuses on adult neurogenesis; dendritic spine alterations; social, cognitive, and emotional behaviors.

Griffith, Andrew, Chief, National Institutes of Health

We are characterizing the structure and function of genes and mutations associated with hereditary disorders causing sensorineural hearing loss, including syndromic disorders with craniofacial or thyroid abnormalities. We utilize genetic and other molecular approaches to study both human and mouse models for these disorders. A variety of techniques, including in situ hybridization, are used to analyze gene expression.

Israel, Michael, English

Linguistics

Kanold, Patrick, Biology

We are interested how experience in early life shapes brain function. Since neural circuits underlie brain function we analyze neural circuits in development but also in adult to understand how circuit differences can give rise to different abilities. By interfering with development, we aim to understand how disruption of early circuit function gives rise to neurological disease. To do this we use in vivo and in vitro physiological and imaging approaches such as single and multielectrode recordings, patch clamp recordings, laser-scanning photostimulation, 2-photon Ca-imaging of large networks, optogenetics, and computational modeling.

Kelley, Matthew, National Institutes of Health

The overall goals of the Unit on Developmental Neuroscience are to identify the molecular and cellular factors that play a role in the development of the sensory epithelium of the mammalian cochlea (the organ of Corti). The organ of Corti is comprised of at least 6 distinct cell types that are arranged in highly conserved mosaic. The generation of a specific number of each cell type and the arrangement of these cell types into a regular pattern are essential for the normal perception of sound; however, our understanding of the factors that play a role in the development of this structure is extremely limited.

MacLeod, Katrina, Biology

All information about an auditory scene is encoded in the auditory nerve, which projects to the cochlear nuclei in the brainstem. Cellular and synaptic specializations in the cochlear nucleus transforms and decodes the auditory signal and extracts different types of information. We use in vitro slice physiology and quantitative modeling of synaptic plasticity and biophysical membrane properties to elucidate how these neural circuits encode sound.

Ottinger, Mary Ann, Animal and Avian Sciences

My lab focuses on the comparative biology of aging, with studies in short- and long-lived birds, transgenic mice, and non-human primates. We are particularly interested in neuroendocrine regulation of endocrine and behavioral aspects of reproduction and on the impact of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease on cognitive function. Our research considers molecular mechanisms, cellular and system processes, and responses at the level of the whole organism. We also are very involved in assessing the consequences of exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors at all stages of the life cycle in birds.

Payne, Richard, Biology

Dr. Payne investigates mechanisms of visual excitation in photoreceptors. The research concentrates on messenger molecules released by light inside photoreceptor cells.

Pick, Leslie, Entomology

How does a complex organism, composed of numerous differentiated cell types and integrated organ systems, develop from a fertilized egg? We are using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system to address this fundamental question of developmental biology. Our studies probe basic mechanisms underlying pattern formation, determination, differentiation and morphogenesis in animal development.

Porter, Tom, Animal and Avian Sciences

Our research interests center on the endocrine regulation of growth and metabolism. Our work has focused on cellular differentiation of the anterior pituitary gland during chick embryonic development.

Quinlan, Elizabeth, Biology

We are interested in understanding how the brain is modified by experience, particularly during the maturation of sensory systems and during learning. Experience-dependent regulation of brain function ultimately lies in changes in the composition and function of synapses, the points of contact between neurons. We use a multidisciplinary approach (biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology and behavior) to study the molecular mechanisms of experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in the mammalian cerebral cortex.

Roesch, Matthew R., Psychology

My laboratory studies the neural mechanisms of cognition and their disturbance in disorders such as addiction and schizophrenia. We are interested in the neural underpinnings of reward, learning, motivation, conflict, attention and decision-making. For example, we are currently investigating how the brain guides decisions based on expected outcomes and violations in those expectations. We address these issues with a variety of approaches in behaving rats, including neurophysiology, pharmacology, lesions and drug self-administration.

Roth, Stephen , Kinesiology

The primary focus of our laboratory is identifying the specific genetic variation that contributes to skeletal muscle mass and strength, specifically within the contexts of aging and exercise training. The ultimate goal of this work is the identification of "susceptibility genes" that can be used clinically to identify individuals at risk for early age-related losses of muscle mass and strength (i.e., sarcopenia). More generally, the work of the lab is focused on understanding the role of genetic variation (and environmental interaction) in determining inter-individual differences in exercise responses and other health-related phenotypes.

Schuh, Rosemary A.,

My lab focuses on the role that mitochondrial dysfunction may play in neurodegenerative diseases, specifically AD. We are particularly interested in the temporal assessment of mitochondrial dysfunction, its relationship to amyloid plaque burden and onset of disease pathology. We use transgenic mouse models of AD and also mice possessing fluorescently-labeled mitochondria in either neurons or astrocytes. We assess molecular, biochemical and bioenergetic processes in the whole animal, isolated mitochondria, cell culture and organotypic slice cultures. We utilize a Clarke-type electrode, the cutting edge Seahorse Bioscience XF24 flux analyzer, and an infrared imaging system as well as traditional confocal microscopy techniques in our investigations.

Singer, Joshua, Biology

Understanding the circuitry of the mammalian retina: The lab studies show the intrinsic properties of retinal neurons and synapses allow retinal circuits to encode visual stimuli reliably. We're particularly interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie the tremendous dynamic range of the retinal circuitry: how do neurons that have limited signaling capacities encode stimuli that vary in strength over many orders of magnitude?

Taneyhill, Lisa, Animal and Avian Sciences

The Taneyhill lab studies the vertebrate neural crest, a transient population of migratory cells that ultimately differentiate to become a wide range of structures, including the peripheral nervous system, pigment cells, and the cranial bones and cartilage. Consequently, many human congenital and hereditary malformations (such as craniofacial abnormalities and heart defects), diseases and cancers result from aberrant neural crest development. Our lab uses molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques to study neural crest formation in the chicken embryo to better understand overall animal growth and development.