Research
Neurons in the brain have a remarkable capacity to undergo changes in function and structure throughout life. How does sensory experience alter neuronal activity and ultimately triggers behavioral adaptations?
We address this question by studying the role of neuronal biochemical signaling dynamics in experience dependent plasticity. We use advanced microscopy, gene editing and in vivo imaging to unravel protein signaling dynamics and neuronal activity in awake behaving mice.
Understanding Brain Signaling in Health and Disease
The brain relies on thousands of proteins that constantly communicate inside cells to control learning, memory, development, and behaviour. Yet we still know surprisingly little about how these signaling networks operate in the living brain. Our lab develops new molecular imaging technologies that allow us to watch protein activity in real time inside neurons. By studying how signaling changes in healthy and diseased brains, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying neurological disorders and identify new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
DNA Damage, Epigenetic Regulation, and Brain Function
Neurons experience continuous transcriptional and metabolic stress throughout life, requiring efficient mechanisms to preserve genome integrity. Emerging evidence suggests that DNA damage and repair are not merely consequences of disease, but are tightly integrated with normal neuronal function and plasticity. Our laboratory develops imaging technologies to visualize DNA damage signaling and epigenetic regulation in living neurons and the intact brain. By studying how these processes are coordinated during neuronal activity, and how they become disrupted in disorders such as Rett syndrome, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms of brain function and identify new therapeutic opportunities.
Autophagy and Synaptic Function
Autophagy is a fundamental cellular pathway responsible for recycling proteins and organelles, yet its role in regulating synaptic function within the intact brain remains largely unknown. Our laboratory develops new imaging technologies that allow us to visualize autophagy in living neurons with unprecedented resolution. We investigate how autophagy is regulated across different neuronal compartments and brain cell types, and how it contributes to synaptic function, plasticity, and cellular homeostasis. By understanding these mechanisms in the healthy brain, we aim to uncover how disruptions in autophagy contribute to aging and neurological disease.