The central goal of the Dauer Lab is to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms of diseases that disrupt the motor system. In exploring these diseases, we also aim to understand a fundamental question relevant to CNS disease generally: what factors determine the selective vulnerability of particular cell types or circuits to insults? Our primary focus is on Parkinson’s disease and inherited forms of dystonia. We focus our efforts on disease genes that cause these disorders, employing a range of molecular, cellular, and whole animal studies to dissect the normal role of disease proteins, and how pathogenic mutations lead to disease.

The mission of Napierala Lab is to contribute to the development of therapies and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) by elucidating molecular mechanisms causing the disease, developing novel cellular and animal models of FRDA, identifying disease biomarkers and testing novel therapeutic approaches.

Minassian Lab has been involved in the identification and co-discovery of the causative gene mutations in over 20 different childhood neurological diseases. 

The goal of the Herz Lab is to identify the underlying biochemical principles of human diseases & disorders in order to design novel therapies to prevent, delay, or cure them.

The Vernino Lab focuses on the mechanisms of autoimmune disorders of the nervous system, especially those associated with neurological autoantibodies. We use a variety of techniques including histology, and immunology.  This research is complemented by clinical therapeutic trials studying novel treatments for autoimmune encephalitis and autonomic disorders.

Our lab researches Cerebellar Dysfunction, Brainstem Dysfunction, High-Throughput Screen, and Human Studies.

The significance of our research is to show effective anti-Aβ42 antibody production in large animals and safety of DNA Aβ42 immunotherapy in these models to proceed with vaccination in patients at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

The Wang Lab studies neurodegeneration and cell death induced by brain injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and/or genome instability.

Dr. Waugh is a physician-scientist whose research focuses on the structural brain abnormalities that lead to dystonia, a movement disorder that leads muscles to twist and contort into painful positions.

Orchard Lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center