Columbia University in the City of New York · NeuroscienceThe Autophagy Initiative
Ai Yamamoto · New York, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Ai Yamamoto's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding and addressing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The research primarily investigates the role of autophagy, a key cellular process that cleans out damaged components in neurons, and how its dysfunction contributes to these diseases. By examining specific cellular pathways, including calcium signaling and the role of certain proteins, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to treat these debilitating conditions.
Parkinson's diseaseAlzheimer's diseaseautophagycalcium signalingmitophagyneurodegenerationtransgenic modelstherapeutic targetsneuron protectionmice models
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the mechanisms of selective autophagy dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
AIM 02Analyze the impact of calcium signaling on autophagy defects in Alzheimer's disease neurons.
AIM 03Model the effects of specific gene mutations on neuronal health and disease progression.
AIM 04Identify novel therapeutic targets based on autophagy pathways for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
AIM 05Evaluate protective effects of pharmacological agents on neuronal survival and function.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelstransgenic techniquescalcium imagingWestern blotPCRimmunofluorescencedrug screeningbiochemical assaysneuron isolation
Output against the department
Publications131bottom 46% of dept.363rd of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations21ktop 20% of dept.136th 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.