Our research program focuses on understanding the genetic and biochemical pathways required for normal neurological development and neurogenetic diseases. The predominant approach is to produce and deploy mouse models to determine the specific in vivo requirements for pathways during development,…
more and to utilize genetic, genomic, cell biological and biochemical tools to dissect these pathways in the developing animal, as well as to provide novel therapeutic approaches. For many years, we have studied mouse models of the human neuronal migration defects such as isolated lissencephaly sequence and Miller-Dieker syndrome as well as mouse mutants for each of three Dishevelled genes. These studies have provided important insights into the genetic factors and molecular mechanisms associated with neurological diseases. Recently, as part of an Autism Center of Excellence, we are examining genetic causes of brain overgrowth in autism spectrum disorders.
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