HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? Call 1-800-TRY-CHOP
Akizu Laboratory
The Akizu Lab aims to uncover genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of developmental brain disorders and advance diagnostic and treatment strategies. Using cutting-edge technologies to achieve our goals, we integrate human genetic discoveries with functional studies in human pluripotent stem cells and animal models. Our research has revealed novel genetic causes of developmental brain disorders, elucidated mechanisms that provide vulnerability to neurodegeneration in children and generated innovative model systems for functional studies.
Join Us
The Akizu Lab offers a wonderful opportunity to work in a collaborative, inspiring, and fun environment, while learning about one of the most fascinating biological structures in nature: our brain.
Here are some research questions that excite us:
- What are genetic and epigenetic causes of neurodevelopmental disorders?
- What is the role of EZH1 in the epigenetic regulation of neuronal diversity generation and brain function?
- Can we develop novel therapeutic targets for neurodevelopmental disorders?
- Why is the cerebellum susceptible to lipid metabolism dysregulation?
- What is the function of interorganelle lipid transport in neurons?
- What is the role of metabolic enzyme polymerization in selective neuronal degeneration? And how does the energy molecule balance (i.e. ATP and GTP) influence enzyme polymerization?
Join the lab to explore these topics and more.
Leader
Naiara Akizu, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Dr. Akizu’s research focuses on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and pediatric neurodegeneration, with the specific goals of uncovering particularities mechanisms that provide diversity to the human brain and to uncover novel disease mechanisms and therapeutic options.