We have two major projects in our laboratory. The first project involves the discovery earlier this year of the disease gene for a rare infantile neurodegenerative disorder, X-linked spinal muscular atrophy. The second project focuses on the genetic basis of breast cancer in women of African ancestry.

Neuroproteomics, posttranslational modification of deimination, local protein synthesis in neuronal dendrites

Research in the lab is focused on axon growth and guidance during development and regeneration

We study mechanisms of transduction and cellular communication in sensory and other cells. We develop transgenic mouse models and fluorescent reporters to visualize cell function in real time. We also analyze patterns of gene expression in complex tissues to understand the roles and differentiation of diverse cell types.

Dr. Dahl’s research interests concentrate on ways of intercellular communication through gap junctions and calcium waves. Presently the focus is on the role of pannexin channels as ATP release pathway.

Calcium handling in the peripheral motor system and its disruption in neurodegenerative diseases

I use single cell voltage clamping to study ion currents in cells from the nervous system of the marine snail Aplsyia californica. This animal is a biomedical model for understanding alterations in the nervous system arising from everything from learned behavior to aging.

Cellular mechanisms of photoreceptor degeneration and survival; Signaling pathways regulating ocular tumorigenesis and tumor stem cell proliferation.

"Neurobiological and behavioral studies of drugs of abuse. Studies of cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, marijuana and amphetamine are conducted to better understand the effects of these drugs in adolescence and in adults."

Molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate dendrite morphogenesis and neural connectivity.

Our lab studies axon regeneration in vitro and in vivo. A major goal is to identify and characterize genes that enhance axon regeneration using high content screening.

Research in the lab focuses on axon growth and guidance in the developing and regenerating nervous systems. Neural stem/progenitor cell biology in both native neurogenesis and following CNS trauma using endogenous and transplantation strategies

Neural mechanisms of sound localization by fish and development of the auditory function of zebrafish

Biophysics; mechanisms of ionic channel activity. 

Neural mechanisms underlying emotional behavior; Role of social/emotional behavior in the progression of cardiovascular disease

Neuroscience; neuronal signaling; axon growth and synapse formation; nerve repair.

function of non-coding DNA variation within the human cortex with specific focus on the pathogenomic processes underlying late onset Alzheimer's disease

"My research interests are focussed on the brain and spinal cord mechanisms controlling walking, with particular emphasis on identifying the neurotransmitters involved in the control of spinal locomotor neurons."

CNS injury: pathophysiological mechanisms of cell death and neuroprotective strategies; special emphasis on cerebral ischemia, mitochondrial physiology, and neurodegenerative diseases

Our hypothesis is that retinal neurons exposed to chronic stress/disease undergo a stage of reversible dysfunction before dying. Our goal is to characterize and model stress-function relationships and define the window of opportunity for cell repair in human and mouse models of optic nerve disease using non-invasive electrophysiology and imaging as main tools.

"Novel mechanisms of signal transduction, with a focus on heterotrimeric G proteins and Ca2+ binding proteins. Structure-function aspects and subcellular localization of signaling proteins"

"Our areas of research center on the development of the nervous system, neurotrophin signaling in neural cells and repair of the CNS after spinal cord injury. For the development of nervous system we try to understand how mitogenic factors influence cell numbers and how cell fates are linked to specific transcriptional networks. We use live fluorescent imaging techniques to study neurotrophin signaling. For spinal cord injury repair strategies, we utilize modified neurotrophins and grafting of CNS derived cells. We integrate several approaches including Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics and Imaging techniques."

Molecular genetics of Parkinson disease and age-related macular degeneration.

"I am at identifying and characterizing the function of genomic variation that is involved in human disease phenotypes, specifically for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders."