Molecular and Systems Neurophysiology
About
Research in Molecular & Systems Neurophysiology at UVA focuses on the structure and function of neural circuits and systems in a multitude of behaviors and disease states including perception, feeding, drinking, social interactions, as well as diseases and disorders, such as breathing, drug addiction, post-traumatic stress, eating disorders, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s.
Researchers in this area study the neural mechanisms by which information, decisions, and actions are stored, passed along, and performed in the brain and greater CNS. We employ a highly multidisciplinary toolkit, including optogenetics, electrophysiology, multiphoton imaging, computational modeling, and developing the next generation of research tools, from gene therapies to sensor molecules.
The diverse set of interests and techniques available within the Systems Neurophysiology area allows students to concentrate on a particular topic or set of techniques, yet receive broad exposure to many disciplines within systems neurophysiology. These faculty offer an immersive approach that combines cutting-edge research, rigorous training, foundational coursework, and collaborative opportunities that prepare students for a rewarding career at the forefront of neuroscience.
Facutly
Abbott, Stephen
Neurobiology of the autonomic nervous system and the homeostatic control of breathing
Ai, Huiwang
Molecular Biosensors; Spatiotemporal Regulation of Biological Signaling; Protein Engineering for Imaging, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics
Bayliss, Douglas A.
Mechanisms of neuromodulation in central neurons
Beenhakker, Mark P.
Circuit mechanisms of sleep and epilepsy
Bloom, George S.
Pathogenic mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders
Cafiso, David S.
Molecular Mechanisms for Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling
Campbell, John
The Neurobiology of Energy Balance
Cang, Jianhua
Mouse Visual System, physiology, functional imaging, genetics, molecular, behavioral, and computational methods
Cope, Elise
Adult-born neurons, perineuronal nets, and microglia in hippocampal plasticity and behavior in health and disease
Deppmann, Christopher
Elucidating and Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying Nervous System Development
Dwyer, Noelle
Neural Development; Cell Division in Neural Stem Cells; Axon Outgrowth and Guidance
Guler, Ali D.
Circadian entrainment for the treatment of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases
Kapur, Jaideep
Seizures, neuronal excitability and plasticity
Kuan, Alex
Neuroscience
Kucenas, Sarah C.
The role of glia in the development, maintenance and regeneration of the nervous system
Laurie, Gordon W.
Restoration of Homeostasis in Disease
Lee, Kevin S.
Neuronal Vulnerability: A Study of Cellular Mechanism
Liu, Xiaorong
Developing novel neuroprotection strategies to preserve vision in glaucoma
Lukens, John R.
Understanding How Immunological Pathways Contribute to Neurodegenerative, Neurodevelopmental, Mental and Behavior Disorders
Meliza, C. Daniel
Neural Mechanisms of Pattern Learning and Recognition in the Auditory System
Nieh, Edward Horng-An
Understanding the neural code underlying motivated behaviors like feeding, drinking, and social interaction, with a focus on how malfunction in associated brain areas are involved in diseases like addiction and eating disorders
Patel, Manoj
Understanding the cellular mechanisms by which seizures are initiated in SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy (DEE13) and temporal lobe epilepsy. My lab uses a number of experimental techniques including patch clamp electrophysiology and in vivo seizure monitor
Perez-Reyes, Edward
Exploring epilepsy circuits then preventing seizures using gene therapies. Developing drug-inducible genetic switches for insulin replacement gene therapies.
Ribic, Adema
Assembly and Plasticity of Neural Circuits
Shin, Jung-Bum
Auditory Neurobiology
Sontheimer, Harald
Role of Glia in Neurological Illnesses and Cancer
Zhu, J. Julius
Neural Circuits in Healthy and Diseased Brains