Manuel A. Kukuljan, Ph.D.

Research

My laboratory is interested in understanding the mechanisms that underlay the determination and maintenance of functional neuronal phenotypes, in particular the regulation and expression of ion channels and other neuronal genes, and the role of ion channels in early development. Addressing these problems involves studies of cellular physiology, developmental biology, cell and molecular biology, with an emphasis on understanding phenomena in vivo in model organisms such as Xenopus laevis, and the zebrafish Danio rerio. The three main studies of the lab are 1) The function of the REST/NRSF transcription factors during development and maintenance of the vertebrate nervous system. 2) Expression and functional role of calcium channels during early development. 3) Regulation of the expression of neuronal sodium channels.