Fluorescent microscopy image shows clusters of cells stained in purple and blue, with labeled markers and gene/protein names in teal text overlay, indicating molecular analysis within the cell sample.

MOLECULAR BASIS
OF DISEASE

Defective genes and their products underlie many pathological conditions. Designing strategies to treat these processes is a research focus for several groups within the department.

BROWSE OUR RESEARCH

DRUG DISCOVERY &
PRECISION MEDICINE GENE ARCHITECTURE
& ACTION INTRACELLULAR
SIGNALING MOLECULAR BASIS
OF DISEASE NEUROBIOLOGY
& BEHAVIOR PROTEIN
STRUCTURE

Two mice face each other in front of a balance scale with puzzle pieces labeled GABA and Glu. The scale is set on a jigsaw puzzle background, symbolizing balance in brain chemistry.

Epilepsy and Autism

Molecular Basis of Epilepsy and Autism

Imbalance of Excitation vs. Inhibition in Neural Circuits Is An Important Missing Piece of the Puzzle of Epilepsy and Autism.

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a red jacket and white turtleneck, stands in front of a digital illustration of neurons and cells with a blue and pink color scheme.

Disease Research

Transcription Dysregulation in Human Disease

The Wang lab studies how mutations in the transcription factor IID complex contributes to cognitive impairment, neurodegeneration, and cancer development.

A man in a plaid shirt stands in front of a map with shaded regions labeled at and Den, with arrows and dots marking boundaries between the areas.

Mental Illness

Molecular Basis of Circuit Connectivity

The Zweifel lab studies synaptic proteins that maintain and refine neural circuit connectivity, and how mutations can lead to neurological disorders.

A man with curly dark hair wearing a brown blazer stands next to a fluorescent microscope image showing brightly colored cells in green, blue, and red on a black background.

Pancreatic Islet Cell Development & Function

The Cirulli lab identifies signaling pathways that are activated by cell and matrix interactions in the developing pancreas to target for regeneration.

A smiling man in a light green striped shirt is superimposed over a colorful microscopic image of neural cells, with green, red, and blue structures and two white arrow pointers highlighting specific areas.

Cannabinoid Research

Endocannabinoid Signaling and Epilepsy

The Stella lab studies the therapeutic promises of targeting endocannabinoid signaling for the treatment of refractory epilepsies.

A woman with short brown hair and a slight smile stands in front of a colorful, abstract background featuring glowing blue, green, and red shapes, resembling microscopic or cellular imagery.

Diabetes Research

Uncovering Tissue Regenerative Signals

The Crisa Lab examines pathways intrinsic to myeloid and vascular cells to boost regeneration and survival of injured pancreatic islet cells.

A woman with long dark hair smiles in front of a background showing bright green neuron structures on black and a grayscale close-up of neural connections.

Neurodevelopment Disorders

Autism Risk Gene in Synaptic Development

The Yadav lab is studying the role of autism risk gene TAOK2 in development of dendritic spine and synapses.

A man stands in front of a colorful 3D molecular structure with a DNA double helix in the blue-toned background. The image suggests a scientific or genetic research context.

Disease

Understanding Diseases at the Atomic Level

The Zheng lab unveils the molecular mechanisms underlying various human disorders using cutting-edge structural biology approaches.

A man with gray hair and a mustache, wearing a black shirt, poses in front of a purple and black abstract or microscopic background with bright spots.

Chemotherapy

Combining FDA-Approved Drugs to Fight Cancer.

The Scott lab discovers new combinations of clinically approved anticancer drugs that fight adolescent liver cancer.

MOLECULAR BASIS
OF DISEASE

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MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE

MOLECULAR BASIS
OF DISEASE