Campbell, John Nelson
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Biology
Education
- BS, Biological Psychology, College of William and Mary
- PhD, Neuroscience, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Contact Information
Gilmer Hall, Room 483
485 McCormick Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
Telephone: 4342431797
Email: jnc4e@virginia.edu
Website: http://www.campbell-lab.com
Research Disciplines
Computational Biology, Neuroscience
Research Interests
The Neurobiology of Energy Balance
Research Description
The Campbell lab uses single-cell transcriptomics and genetic technology to identify the cell types and signaling pathways that control appetite, digestion, and glucose metabolism. Specifically, we apply high-throughput single-cell RNA-Seq to characterize cell types and their marker genes in specific brain regions and to generate hypotheses about the functions of those cell types. These marker genes enable genetic access to each cell type of interest, through the combined use of marker-driven recombinase-expressing mouse strains and targeted injections of recombinase-dependent AAV vectors. Using these AAVs and the transgenic tools they deliver, we map, monitor, and manipulate the activity of specific neuron populations, revealing their synaptic circuitry and physiological function. The ultimate goal of this approach is to match molecularly-defined cell types and circuits to their specific roles in appetite, digestion, and glucose metabolism.