About This Lab

Key Terms: Neuromuscular, Brain, Gene-Editing Therapy, CRISPR-CAS 9, Antisense Therapy

What is your research about and how would you describe your work at the undergraduate/basic level?

1) Antisense and Genome Editing Therapies

Antisense-mediated therapy is an exciting new approach to treating diseases using DNA-like molecules. These molecules act like a stitch or Band-Aid to mitigate the effects of genetic mutations and restore the gene function. By utilizing integrative experimental and computational approaches, such as antisense oligonucleotides, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and machine-learning, the focuses of our group are to develop novel personalized molecular therapies for neuromuscular and musculoskeletal diseases.

2) Role of Water Channel Aquaporins in Muscle and Brain

A water channel Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is known to selectively express in the fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibers and at the perivascular blood-brain-barrier (BBB) in the brain; however its physiological function remains poorly understood. The goal of our research program is to characterize the role of AQP4 in response to the muscle exercise and fatigue in muscles and brains.

What kind of students are you looking for (e.g. summer students, volunteers, upper year thesis students, grad students)?

We are looking for all levels of students, including summer students, volunteers, upper year thesis students, and grad students.

What techniques do you utilize and what equipment does your lab have?

Antisense oligonucleotides, CRISPR-Cas9, Confocal/ two-photon laser microscope