Almost 50 faculty in our program work in the field of cellular, molecular and developmental neurobiology. Areas of interest include mechanisms of signal transduction by neuromediators, basic mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, synaptic transmission and vesicle trafficking, structure-function of ion channels, calcium signaling, synaptic plasticity, neuronal modeling, molecular substrates of drug addiction, schizophrenia and neurodegenerative diseases as well as mechanisms that regulate social behaviors. Developmental studies of the spinal cord, the mammalian auditory organ and the enteric nervous systems are additional strengths of this program.

Faculty with interests in Cellular/Molecular/Developmental Neuroscience:

• Abercrombie, Ronald F. [ron@physio.emory.edu]
  Regulation of intracellular calcium and interactions between calcium and pH in neurons.
• Bassell, Gary [gbassel@emory.edu]
  Mechanisms of mRNA transport and local protein synthesis in neurons, and their dysfunction in mouse models of fragile x syndrome and spinal muscular atrophy.
• Betarbet, Ranjita [rbetarb@emory.edu]
  Influences of genetic and environmental factors on Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.
• Bonsall, Robert W. [rbonsal@emory.edu]
  Biochemistry of steroid receptors in the brain; neurochemistry and neuroendocrinology of mental illness.
• Calabrese, Ronald [rcalabre@biology.emory.edu]
  Motor pattern generation in invertebrates.
• Caspary, Tamara [tcaspary@genetics.emory.edu]
  We identify and characterize novel genes important in mammalian neural development through recessive forward genetic screens in the mouse.
• Chen, Ping [pchen@cellbio.emory.edu]
  The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the morphogenesis of the mammalian auditory organ, the organ of Corti.
• Chin, Lih-Shen [chinl@pharm.emory.edu]
  Our research interest is to elucidate the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of Parkinson's disease.
• Choi, Inyeong [inyeong.choi@emory.edu]
  Mechanisms of pH regulation of synaptic transmission in the central nervous system
• DeWeerth, Stephen P. [steve.deweerth@neuro.gatech.edu]
  Neuroengineering development of dynamical models of neuronal systems and hybrid microsystems that interface living neuronal tissue.
• Dingledine Raymond [rdingledine@pharm.emory.edu]
  Genetic control of glutamate receptor function.
• English, Arthur W. [art@cellbio.emory.edu]
  Axon regeneration after nerve injury.
• Falls, Douglas [dfalls@emory.edu]
  Molecular mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication which regulate the development and plasticity of the brain.
• Garlow, Steven [sgarlow@emory.edu]
  Molecular and functional assessment of 5-HT systems in maternally deprived animals as models for cocaine abuse.
• Glass, Jonathon [jglas03@emory.edu]
  Axonal Biology and specifically axonal degeneration as it relates to the pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including peripheral neuropathies, ALS, and multiple sclerosis.
• Gordon, Frank J. [fgordon@emory.edu]
  CNS regulation of the immune and cardiovascular systems.
• Hall, Randy, A [rhall@pharm.emory.edu]
  Mechanisms of signal transduction by neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.
• Hartzell, Criss H. [criss.hartzell@emory.edu]
  Molecular and cellular mechanisms of signal transduction through ion channels and calcium signaling.
• Hepler, John [jhepler@emory.edu]
  Hormone action and second messenger pathways; G-protein signaling; cellular roles for RGS proteins.
• Hochman, Shawn [shawn.hochman@emory.edu]
  Neuromodulation, plasticity, and regeneration of spinal cord functional systems.
• Iuvone, Michael P. [miuvone@emory.edu]
  Circadian rhythms, signal transduction and neuromodulators in the retina.
• Jaeger, Dieter [djaeger@emory.edu] Computational properties of neuronal networks through single cell physiology and computer simulations.
• Jenkins, Andrew [ajenki2@emory.edu]
  We study the molecular events involved in the activation and modulation of the GABAA receptor.
• Joshi, Harish [joshi@cellbio.emory.edu]
  Study of microtubules which play crucial roles in both mitotic and post-mitotic phases of neuron life.
• Justice, Joseph B. [jjustic@emory.edu]
  Neurochemistry; monoamine transport; drug abuse.
• Kahn, Richard [rkahn@emory.edu]
  Signal transduction and cell regulation by GTP-binding proteins; regulation of membrane traffic in general and specifically of Alzeheimer;s precursor protein (APP), BACE and ?-secretase.
• Lee, Amy [alee@pharm.emory.edu]
  Molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms of calcium signaling in the regulation of synaptic transmission in the CNS.
• Lee, Robert H. [rhlee@bme.gatech.edu]
  Electrophysiology and computer modeling studies of synaptic integration in spinal cord motoneurons.
• Lennard, Paul R. [plennard@biology.emory.edu]
  Neural mechanisms of locomotion and rhythmic motor behaviors.
• Levey, Allan I. [al@neuro.emory.edu]
  Molecular neurobiology of neurotransmitter receptors and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Li, Lian [lianli@pharm.emory.edu]
  Molecular basis of neurotransmitter release and pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Li, Xiao-Jiang [xioali@gmm.gen.emory.edu]
  Molecular mechanisms of selective neurodegeneration mediated by protein misfolding
• Lin, Xi [xlin2@emory.edu]
  Role of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors in signal transduction and homeostasis in the cochlea.
• Luskin, Marla [luskin@cellbio.emory.edu]
  Developmental neurobiology; regulation of cell proliferation, migration and differentiation.
• Madden, John [jmadden@emory.edu]
  DNA repair mechanisms; neuroimmunology.
• Mandell, Arnold [cieloInst@aol.com]
  Geometric and statistical methods to investigate brain function.
• Maney, Donna [dmaney@emory.edu]
  Neural circuitry underlying communication behavior.
• Mao, Zixu [zmao@pharm.emory.edu]
  Molecular and cellular signaling mechanisms of nuclear factor-dependent process in neuronal survival, growth, and degeneration.
• McKeon, Robert [mckeon@cellbio.emory.edu]
  Glial response to neural injury; axonal regenerative failure; neuroprotection.
• Muly, Christopher E. [ecmuly@rmy.emory.edu]
  Architecture of neuronal signaling proteins at excitatory synapses and the effects of experience or psychotropic medication.
• Mustari, Michael [mjmustar@rmy.emory.edu]
  Neural substrate for eye movements and interactions between visual and oculomotor systems.
• Nemeroff, Charles [cnemero@emory.edu]
  Effects of psychopharmacological agents on brain neuropeptide systems.
• Owens, Michael [mowens@emory.edu].Interactions between neuropeptides and clinically efficacious psychotropic drugs; neuropsychopharmacology.
• Pardue, Machelle [mpardue@emory.edu]
  Developing treatments for retinal diseases, including retinal prosthetics and anti-apoptotic agents; genetic and environmental mechanisms of refractive development and eye growth.
• Pearce, Brad [bpearce@emory.edu]
  Neuroimmunology and virology of Alzheimer's disease, HIV encephalitis, schizophrenia, major depression, and autism.
• Potter, Steve [steve.potter@bme.gatech.edu]
  New neuroscience technologies for studying learning in vitro.
• Preuss, Todd M [tpreuss@rmy.emory.edu]
  Study of evolutionary specializations of human brain through comparisons of cellular organization and differential gene expression between human and nonhuman primates.
• Prinz, Astrid [astrid.prinz@emory.edu]
  Computational and electrophysiological studies of processing and homeostatic regulation of small neural networks
• Rainnie, Donald [drainni@emory.edu]
  Neurophysiological mechanisms underlying emotional aspects of congition in the CNS.
• Ressler, Kerry J [kressle@emory.edu]
  Plasticity and role of the amygdala in fear and olfactory memory formation. Development of novel treatment strategies for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans.
• Rodman, Hillary [hrodman@rmy.emory.edu]
  Development, plasticity, and comparative and modular organization of the cerebral cortex.
• Rye, David B [drye@emory.edu]
  Molecular, pharmacological, and systems dissection of substrates responsible for human sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome (RLS), and narcolepsy-like syndromes characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Sanyal, Subhabrata [ssanya2@emory.edu]
  Our laboratory uses the fruit fly Drosophila to understand molecular signaling mechanisms that regulate cellular correlates of long-term neural plasticity underlying complex behavior.
• Siegler, Melody [msiegler@biology.emory.edu]
  Development of neuronal lineages and segment specificity in CNS and cell fate.
• Smith, Yoland [yolands@rmy.emory.edu]
  Synaptic localization and functional interactions between glutamate and GABA receptors in the CNS.
• Sokoloff, Alan [sokoloff@physio.emory.edu]
  Interactions between the central nervous system and muscle physiology.
• Srinivasan, Shanthi [ssrini2@2mory.edu]
  Survival, differentiation and pathology of the enteric nervous system.
• Traynelis, Stephen [strayne@emory.edu]
  Control of glutamate receptor activation in stroke, epilepsy, and normal brain function.
• Wainer, Bruce [bwainer@emory.edu]
  Mechanisms of signal transduction and control of gene expression that lead to neuronal differentiation.
• Wallen, Kim [kim@rmy.emory.edu]
  Neuroendocrinology of primate behavior; role of hormones on life span development and behavior in primates.
• Warren, Stephen [swarren@emory.edu]
  Genetic mechanisms of inherited human brain diseases.
• Weiss, Jay M [jweis01@emory.edu]
  Neuroimmunology; interaction of immune system with brain and behavior.
• Wenner, Peter A [pwenner@physio.emory.edu]
  Mechanisms of development and maturation of interneuronal circuits in the spinal cord.
• Ye, Keqiang [kye@emory.edu]
  The molecular mechanisms regulating the brain specific nuclear GTPase PIKE and characterization of its biological functions that mediate neurotrophic growth factor signaling in the CNS.
• Young, Larry [lyoun03@emory.edu]
  Role of neuropeptide and neuropeptide receptor gene expression and social behavior in a variety of mammalian species.