Shelley Russek

Dr. Russek is interested in the genetic switches that regulate the development of the brain and its response to injury or disease.  Current research in her laboratory focuses on the role of  the GABA-A receptor system in epilepsy, autism and depression where a change in the number or kind of receptors at synaptic and extrasynaptic sites can disturb processes critical for healthy neurotransmission.   Research in the laboratory tests the relationship between gene regulatory events such as those stimulated by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and brain inhibition, combining genomics and proteomics with animal models of disease via pharmacological and biological techniques such as chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), single cell promoter/reporter analysis, laser-capture microdissection for microgenomics, electroporation of mouse embryos and viral gene delivery to develop the foundations for future genetic therapies and as a basis for understanding disease etiology.

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