About
Our laboratory is interested in the genetic aspects of complex brain disorders, including genetic predisposition for alcoholism, drug use, and other compulsive behaviors, as well as molecular mechanisms underlying such neuro-sensory processes as neuropathic pain, analgesia, and diabetic neuropathy. We use approaches of neuro-behavioral modeling, pharmacological intervention, genetic analysis, and AI algorithms (machine learning).
Research Aim(s)
- Genetic predisposition to alcoholism, drug abuse, and other compulsive behaviors in human
- Genetic factors influencing alcohol consumption in rodent models
- Behavioral patterns of alcohol preference and social environment in rodent models
- Molecular mechanisms of neuro-sensory processes, including pain and analgesia
- AI algorithms (machine learning) for data analysis in genetics and behavior
Active Research Projects
- Rodent models of alcohol consumption, and influence by cagemate sex as social environment
- Human genetic variations that impact alcohol drinking, drug use, and other compulsive behaviors
- Brain-expressed genes associated with alcohol preference and relapse
- Physiological analysis of neuro-sensory systems in chronic neuropathic pain
- Rodent models of analgesia with genetic and pharmacological therapeutics
- Cell and rodent models to identify protein networks underlying chronic neuropathic pain and alcoholism
- Rodent models to identify potential drugs for treating chronic neuropathic pain and alcoholism
- Computational analysis of genetic impact in longitudinal alcoholism studies
- Genetic and computational analysis of diabetic neuropathy and inflammation-mediated chronic pain
- AI algorithms (machine learning) for genetic and behavioral data analysis and pattern identification
Personnel
Faculty:
Lei Yu, PhD
Students:
Anitej Thamma
Annie Lin
Anshul Natakala
Anveshi Prakash
Avi Kodali
Brendyn Porter
Dora Engler
Haydn Gock
Hweeho Lim
Ivana Albert
Jaimee Kohan
Justin Villani
Leah Chang
Medha Satti
Nathan Do
Nikhil Shukla
Nora Abdelfattah
Raisha Yeasmin
Saanvi Narava
Saram Siddiqui
Shakthi Venkatesan
Sidhika Jadra
Sriya Ghankot
Suveer Puthur
Tianying Yan
Umer Toor
Varsha Lambi
Veeda Khan
Yongqi Chen
Yuchi Zhang
Zala Čok