University of California-San Francisco · NeuroscienceSCN2A and Autism Research Unit
Kevin J Bender · San Francisco, California
Research Focus
Dr. Kevin Bender's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding and developing therapies for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by investigating the role of the SCN2A gene. This gene, which affects neuronal sodium channels, is linked to various sensorimotor and behavioral deficits in mice modeled for ASD. The lab employs advanced CRISPR technology to potentially correct these deficiencies and improve cellular and behavioral functions in these models, paving the way for new treatments for severe forms of autism.
SCN2Aautism spectrum disorderCRISPRsensorimotor deficitsgene therapy
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the effects of SCN2A mutations on brain function
AIM 02Develop CRISPRa methods to upregulate SCN2A expression
AIM 03Evaluate the impact of therapeutic interventions in mouse models
AIM 04Assess changes in sensory processing and learning in treated mice
AIM 05Determine critical developmental windows for effective treatments.
Skills the Lab Values
CRISPR-mediated transcriptional activationmouse modelsanimal behavior analysiscell cultureimmunohistochemistry
Output against the department
Publications99bottom 33% of dept.448th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.9kbottom 36% of dept.431st 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.