Neurology

I'm a neuroscientist who works on profoundly neurodegenerative inherited diseases that mostly affect children and young adults. These are lysosomal storage disorders, due to failed lysosomal function. My lab works to understand these diseases better. which brain regions and cell types are affected. We then use this information to better target therapies (gene therapy and enzyme replacement) to the places where they can be most effective. This work has taken us from mice to large animal models and from the brain to the bowel.

Research keywords: neurodegeneration; gene therapy; genetics

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My lab is investigating novel ways to modulate the tumor immune microenvironment to enhance the efficacy of treatment for brain tumors and to improve on their safety for children. We use genetic and orthotopic tumor models and utilize a wide range of tools including single cell RNAseq, CyTOF, and MR and PET imaging. Our goals are to understand the fundamental mechanisms driven by the tumor microenvironment that impede robust treatment response and to reverse them to ultimately improve outcomes in children with brain tumors.

Research keywords: Pediatric brain tumor; Tumor microenviornment; Cancer immunotherapy

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Historically, reactive astrocytes and neuroinflammation were thought to arise secondary to neuronal cell death in neurodegenerative diseases with little relevance. However, astrocytes and neuroinflammation are beginning to emerge as critical targets of neurological disorders once thought to afflict neurons selectively. We aim to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate reactive astrocytes and their neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. To investigate these mechanisms, we combine biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular models of inflammation and mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. We are also interested in developing novel therapies targeting these pathways to reduce neuroinflammation for potential therapeutic intervention.

Research keywords: astrocytes; immunotherapies; Alzheimer's disease

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The Gutmann laboratory aims to discover the genomic, genetic, cellular and molecular determinants that cause brain dysfunction by leveraging novel genetically engineered mice, human induced pluripotent stem cells, bioinformatic approaches, and multi-omic analysis methodologies. We use the neurogenetic syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), in which affected people develop brain and nerve tumors, as well as attention deficit and autism. Specifically, we study (1) the cellular origins of tumors, (2) immune regulation of cancer, (3) the impact of germline genetics on disease heterogeneity, (4) neuronal control of tumor biology, and (5) the mechanisms underlying cell type-specific, brain region-distinct signaling pathway diversity.

Research keywords: cancer neuroscience; cancer immunology; cancer modeling

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1) Our lab studies the connection between plasticity-dependent mechanisms for stroke recovery and sleep-dependent plasticity. Our goal is to develop new, innovative sleep-focused treatments and interventions to improve outcomes in patients with neurological disease.
2) Our lab studies the neuroprotective effect of torpor (a hypothermic and hypometabolic state.

Research keywords: sleep; torpor; neuroprotection

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TIRs is reaching out to prospective graduate students in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Neurosciences. This T32 training program provides a unique opportunity for recently graduated students interested in transitioning their careers into applied molecular imaging focused on design, preclinical validation, development, and translation of PET molecular imaging agents for diagnostic clinical nuclear medicine for application in neurodegenerative diseases (ADRDs).

Research keywords: PET; Probe-Development; Translational-Imaging

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