Research Interests:
We research the various steps in RNA processing including transport and translation during normal development and aging of neurons, as well as during the onset and progression of disease. In addition to these basic studies we seek to identify therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to RNA and metabolic dysregulation in the nervous system. Our research utilizes a combination of genetic, molecular, bioinformatics and pharmacological approaches in Drosophila (fruit flies), cultured cells and patient tissues. This “fly-to-man” approach takes advantage of the powerful, genetically tractable fruit fly model to uncover molecular mechanisms that we can subsequently validate in patient tissues.