Northwestern University · NeuroscienceKessler Lab
John A Kessler · Evanston, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. John A. Kessler's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding the role of specific proteins in brain health, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. His research examines how aging affects brain function and explores potential gene therapies to improve cognitive outcomes by targeting certain molecular pathways. The lab seeks to develop treatments that could ultimately help in preventing or slowing the progression of these debilitating conditions.
tauopathiesneurogenesisgene therapyagingHippocampusBMP signalingnoggincognitive functionAlzheimer's Diseasefrontotemporal dementia
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the effects of gene therapy on tauopathies.
AIM 02Examine how BMP signaling impacts neurogenesis in the aging brain.
AIM 03Assess the role of noggin in regulating cognitive behavior.
AIM 04Develop strategies to translate basic research into clinical interventions.
AIM 05Identify molecular targets for therapeutic development in neurodegenerative diseases.
Skills the Lab Values
gene delivery techniquesmouse modelsviral vector designneuroscience methodologiesanimal behavior assessmentcell cultureRT-PCRwestern blottingimmunohistochemistryRNA sequencing
Output against the department
Publications373top 17% of dept.113th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations24ktop 17% of dept.111th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.