Upcoming Events › John D. Wiley Seminar Series

Over the past 15 years, my research has focused on delineating the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that regulate dendritic spine plasticity, and in particular, understanding how alterations in synaptic plasticity contribute to specific behavioral phenotypes relevant to the study of neuropsychiatric disorders.

The focus of our research is to understand how genetic and environmental factors interact to cause birth defects of the face and brain. We are particularly interested in craniofacial malformations like cleft lip and palate and holoprosencephaly because of their prevalence and serious consequences for affected individuals and their families.

Most of the research work in Qian's laboratory is broadly interdisciplinary, with a primary emphasis on protein synthesis, nutrient signaling pathway, and stress response. Using biochemical, genetic, and cell biological approach, the Qian laboratory investigates translational control of gene expression, molecular mechanisms of adaptive stress response, dynamic mRNA modifications, and the implications in human health and diseases. Specific disease aspects include but are not limited to, diabetes, cancer, aging and neurodegenerative disorders.

Research in the Kwan laboratory is aimed at the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie normal neural circuit assembly in the cerebral cortex and their dysregulation in human neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, and schizophrenia.

Pfaff's lab has revealed important principles related to neural development, gene regulation, axon guidance and connectivity, and spinal motor circuit function. He is well known for characterizing one of the first examples of molecular diversification among neuronal subtypes through analyses of the combinatorial activity of the LIM homeodomain gene family in spinal neurons.

I am physician scientist active both in basic research and clinical practice. My research interests are to 1) uncover the genetic and epigenetic bases of neurodevelopmental disorders or rare diseases with neurodevelopmental defects; 2) model genetic diseases using human patients derived cellular models and genetic mutant mice; 3) understand the circuit and molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder; 4) develop novel molecular and epigenetic targeted therapies for genetic and epigenetic diseases.

My research uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study brain development in children and adolescents. Using a variety of MRI techniques, I study how brain structure and function change with age, or in response to treatments and interventions.