Dr. Robert F. Hunt's lab at UC Irvine focuses on understanding the role of chromatin regulators in neurodevelopmental disorders like epilepsy and autism. The team studies how genetic mutations affect brain development and function, aiming to discover new treatment approaches. By using advanced techniques in genetics, cell biology, and electrophysiology, they explore how to manipulate gene expression to potentially develop targeted therapies.

Dr. Elizabeth Head's research focuses on Alzheimer's disease and how to potentially slow its progression using specific medications. Her lab studies the effects of a drug called tacrolimus in aging beagle dogs, which can show signs of cognitive decline similar to humans. By measuring cognitive outcomes, biological markers, and brain health, the goal is to understand if targeting a specific pathway in the brain can serve as a new treatment strategy for Alzheimer's in humans.

Dr. Kei M. Igarashi's lab at UC Irvine specializes in understanding the brain circuits involved in memory formation and retrieval, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The lab conducts research on the lateral entorhinal cortex, which plays a crucial role in these cognitive functions. By using advanced techniques such as optogenetics and transgenic mouse models, the lab aims to identify the specific neuronal types impacted by Alzheimer's to develop potential treatments for memory impairments.

Dr. Albert R. La Spada's lab at UC Irvine focuses on understanding neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those caused by abnormal protein expansions known as polyglutamines, such as spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy and Huntington's disease. The research aims to uncover cellular mechanisms that lead to motor neuron degeneration and explore potential therapeutic strategies to restore cellular balance in neurodegenerative conditions. By investigating the roles of specific proteins and pathways, the lab seeks to develop drugs to mitigate neurotoxicity and promote neuronal health.

Dr. David C. Lyon's lab at UC Irvine focuses on advancing treatments for vision loss due to retinal degeneration diseases like age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The research explores the use of retinal progenitor tissue transplants to restore vision by investigating how these transplants integrate into the visual system and influence higher-level visual processing in the brain. The ultimate aim is to improve vision among patients who have lost significant retinal tissue.

The lab led by Dr. Daniele Piomelli at UC Irvine focuses on pain management, particularly by targeting a specific enzyme called NAAA to develop new pain medications that do not carry the risk of addiction. The research primarily explores how inhibiting this enzyme could lead to effective treatments for people suffering from acute and chronic pain. By studying animal models, the lab aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms involved in pain processing and to improve drug candidates for safer pain relief.

Dr. Maksim V Plikus' lab focuses on understanding how hair follicles control their growth and size. Using a combination of advanced techniques, including mouse models and computational analysis, the lab studies the interactions between different cell types within hair follicles. Their research aims to reveal the complex signaling mechanisms that allow tissues to maintain their intended size, which has important implications for both basic biology and potential medical applications.

Dr. Thomas F Schilling's lab at UC Irvine investigates how cells organize themselves during the development of the skeleton, particularly focusing on craniofacial bones. They aim to understand the signals that guide cartilage growth and alignment, which is crucial for normal bone formation. Insights from this research could lead to better treatments for skeletal disorders and congenital malformations.

Dr. Seyed Ali Mortazavi's lab focuses on understanding the influence of genetic variants on gene expression and functionality in mouse models. By analyzing diverse mouse strains at the single-cell level, the lab aims to create a comprehensive resource that maps how these variants affect different cell types across various tissues. This research is crucial for developing better models of human diseases and for enhancing our understanding of genetics in health and complex diseases.

Dr. Bruce Blumberg's lab at UC Irvine focuses on understanding how prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals, particularly endocrine disruptors, affects obesity in future generations. They study mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance, which could explain how these effects are passed down without changes to DNA. This research aims to uncover how these inherited traits lead to metabolic diseases and how interventions might prevent these transgenerational effects.

Dr. Xiangmin Xu's lab focuses on understanding how aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) affect brain circuits and cellular functions. They use advanced mouse models and cutting-edge techniques to investigate the molecular mechanisms that lead to cognitive deficits in AD. Through their work, the lab aims to create better diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for this debilitating condition.

Dr. Michael Yassa's lab at UC Irvine focuses on unraveling the complexities of memory and its impact on mental health and neurodegenerative diseases. Research in the lab investigates conditions like anhedonia—a loss of pleasure—by exploring its relationship with memory processing and neural circuitry. The lab also examines how cerebrovascular health affects Alzheimer’s disease progression, especially in minority populations, aiming to develop predictive biomarkers that can guide interventions and improve clinical outcomes.