Faculty
Ellen Barrett, PhD
Prof., ebarrett2@miami.edu
We study how neuronal mitochondria respond to stimulation, focusing on mitochondria within motor neurons and motor nerve terminals of wild-type mice and mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
John Barrett, PhD
Prof., jbarrett@miami.edu
We use fluorescence confocal microscopy to study stimulation-induced mitochondrial responses in a novel preparation of spinal motor neurons of adult mice. We are testing therapies to treat the mitochondrial dysfunctions that develop in age-related motor neuron diseases.
Rene Barro, PhD
Asst. Prof., rbarro@miami.edu
We study physical principles of ion channel function, including for neuronal KCNQ potassium channels, how mutations in these channels cause disorders such as epilepsy and autism. and we design small molecules for treating these diseases.
Laura Bianchi, PhD
Prof., l.bianchi@miami.edu
My lab is supported by NIH and the AHA, and uses C. elegans to study glia/neuron crosstalk in the pathophysiology of the nervous system. Lately, we have been focusing on glial ion channels and transporters involved in epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and pain. We also study glia in aging.More...
Nirupa Chaudhari, PhD
Prof., nchaudhari@miami.edu
We study how sensory cells function, regenerate, are innervated, and signal to the brain. In our NIH-funded lab, we use single-cell RNAseq, fluorescent reporters delivered transgenically or via AAV vectors to map molecularly defined neuron types and discern their roles in taste sensation through confocal Ca2+ imaging in vivo. More...
Gerhard Dahl, MD
Prof., gdahl@miami.edu
Our lab concentrates on ways of intercellular communications through gap junctions and calcium waves. Research in my laboratory is geared towards two goals: 1) Identification of functional domains within the molecular subunits of gap junctions, the connexins. 2) Determination of the physiological function of specific gap junction proteins in tissues.
Robert Keane, PhD
Prof., rkeane@miami.edu
We study activation of innate immune signaling after CNS injury. We discovered that CNS cells harbor inflammasomes that contribute to inflammatory pathomechanisms. Our current work seeks to understand the physiological functions of these signaling pathways that may provide promising and unique therapeutic strategies to treat CNS injury and disease.
Manfred Lindau, PhD
Prof., mxl2044@miami.edu
We Investigate the molecular nanomachine of transmitter release in live cells using electrophysiological, electrochemical and advanced fluorescence imaging techniques. More...
Karl Magleby, PhD
Prof., kmagleby@miami.edu
We study (1) the mechanisms by which ion channels open and close their pores (gating) to understand how channel mutations cause human disease, and (2) we study short-term synaptic plasticity to understand information processing in neurons and neural circuits.
Vincent Moy, PhD
Prof., vmoy@miami.edu
Our lab uses biophysical methods to investigate the role of mechanical forces in biological processes such as cell migration, cell-cell interactions, and vesicle fusion.
Ken Muller, PhD
Prof., kmuller@miami.edu
We study neuronal circuitry, including in the retina, to understand the development, functioning and repair of synaptic connections following nerve injury. Related work is on the control and roles of microglial cells moving to nerve lesions.
For more information contact: Dr. Ken Muller (kmuller@med.miami.edu)
Stephen Roper, PhD
Prof., sroper@miami.edu
My research is funded by NIH and uses scanning laser confocal Ca2+ imaging of nerve tissue in living, anesthetized mice to investigate how sensory neurons innervating the oral cavity respond to taste, touch, and pain in health and in oral cancer. More...