Neuronal and Circuit Vulnerability in Disease
The Saxena Lab investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal vulnerability and resilience in neurodegenerative disease and aging. By integrating human patient-derived cellular models, advanced imaging, systems biology and translational neuroscience approaches, the lab aims to identify disease-driving pathways, biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for disorders such as ALS and related neurodegenerative diseases.
Lab Focus
Research Interests:
1. Cellular and molecular mechanisms driving neurodegeneration and neuronal vulnerability
2. Adaptive and compensatory responses during early disease progression and aging
3. Human patient-derived neuronal models for ALS and related neurodegenerative disorders
4. Biomarker discovery and disease staging in neurodegeneration
5. Development and testing of neuroprotective and precision medicine therapeutic strategies
Areas of Expertise:
1. Neurodegenerative disease biology and motor neuron degeneration
2. Human iPSC-derived neuronal and glial disease modeling
3. Advanced imaging, systems biology, proteomics and transcriptomics
4. Translational neuroscience and therapeutic development for ALS
5. Integration of molecular, cellular and circuit-level approaches to neurodegeneration