Neurobiology Laboratory

Serena M. Dudek Sommer, Ph.D. Acting Chief, Neurobiology Laboratory and Senior Investigator Tel 984-287-3513 dudek@niehs.nih.gov

Research Summary

Neurobiology is an integral part of environmental health sciences. Disruption of brain development and function produces life-long effects on human cognitive potential. Consequently, both early learning disabilities and aging-related neurodegeneration have become major public health concerns. Although there are many inherited and de novo mutations that result in neurodevelopmental disorders, for example, other learning disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the three most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's (ALS), all show very low concordance between monozygotic twins, implicating environmental factors in their onset and pathology.

The Neurobiology Laboratory investigates the cellular and molecular processes in the developing and aging nervous system that increase its vulnerability to environmental toxicants. The Laboratory also trains new investigators in the concepts and experimental techniques of neuroscience. Investigators in the Laboratory have expertise in neuronal and glial biology at all levels of mammalian brain organization from genes to behaving animals, particularly as it relates to gene expression, neuronal development, synaptic function and plasticity, ion channel proteins, and the inflammatory response to toxicity.

Ongoing Investigations in the Neurobiology Laboratory:

Acetylcholine receptor channel function in hippocampus
Mammalian brain development
Microglia dysfunction during neurodegeneration
Neural circuit formation and function
Neural circuits underlying social behavior
Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
Neurotoxicity of nicotine
Regulation of gene expression in neuronal fate specification and in synaptic plasticity
Regulation of synaptic plasticity in hippocampus

Principal Investigators

Developmental Neurobiology

Patricia Jensen, Ph.D. Senior Investigator Tel 984-287-3413 patricia.jensen@nih.gov

In Vivo Neurobiology

Guohong Cui, M.D., Ph.D. Senior Investigator Tel 984-287-3446 Fax 301-480-3483 cuig@mail.nih.gov

Ion Channel Physiology

Jerrel L. Yakel, Ph.D. Senior Investigator Tel 984-287-3466 Fax 301-480-3483 yakel@niehs.nih.gov

Neurobehavioral Circuits

Julieta E. Lischinsky, Ph.D. Stadtman Investigator Tel 984-287-4683 julieta.lischinsky@nih.gov

Neuroepigenomics

Elizabeta Gjoneska, Ph.D. Principal Investigator Tel 984-287-4544 elizabeta.gjoneska@nih.gov

Neuropharmacology

Jau Shyong Hong, Ph.D. (Retired) Scientist Emeritus Tel 984-287-3435 hong3@niehs.nih.gov

Synaptic & Developmental Plasticity