Neurogenetics

NSCI 23480, HGEN 33480, NURB 33480 (Winter, Director)

This course introduces genetic concepts to graduate and upper-level undergraduate students who are interested in neurological disorders. It focuses on genetic discoveries of pathogenic mutations in neurodevelopmental and degenerative diseases, and the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.

Main topics: Forward and reverse genetics, Sequencing and annotating the genome, Genome-wide association studies, Neocortex development, Epilepsy, Autism, Repeat expansion diseases (such as ALS), Antisense oligonucleotides, Personalized medicine

Genetic Analysis of Model Organisms

BIOS21236, HGEN 31400 (Autumn, co-Instructor)

Fundamental principles of genetics discussed in the context of current approaches to mapping and functional characterization of genes. The relative strengths and weaknesses of leading model organisms are emphasized via problem-solving and critical reading of original literature.

Molecular and Translational Neuroscience

NSCI 22110 (Spring, lecturer)

This lecture/seminar course explores the application of modern cellular and molecular techniques to clarify basic mechanisms that underlie neural development, synaptic transmission, protein trafficking, and circuit function and the dysfunction of these fundamental processes that result in neurodevelopmental disorders and age-associated neurological diseases.