Neuroscience Research is a relatively new discipline that has merged many aspects of biology, medicine, psychology and other fields. This merger has come about in an effort to understand how the brain works in development, function and disease.

The study of neural development aims to understand how an initially homogenous population of cells matures to form the diverse types of neurons and glia in the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system, as well as neurons of the peripheral nervous system and specialized sensory organs. This process requires a complex interplay of cellular processes including induction and patterning of neuronal cell types, neuronal differentiation, migration, axon outgrowth and targeting, formation of synapses and the establishment and maintenance of connections.

Functional diversity and specialization within the nervous system is a product of this developmental program, but is also dependent upon the biophysical properties and chemical processes that differ in different cell types. For example, different cell types have distinct profiles of ion channel, receptor and neurotransmitter expression that confer differences in responsiveness to different stimuli. Furthermore, neurons having specific biochemical and metabolic activities are adapted for different functions. A detailed understanding of these specializations is required in order to have a comprehensive picture of neuronal diversity and function.

Finally, both neural development and function have a direct relationship to nervous system disease. Ultimately, both the specializations that are unique to different types of neurons and the developmental processes that generate them are a potential source of neurological disorders. These may range from neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease to Mental Retardation, to a variety of psychiatric disorders. A rigorous analysis of normal nervous system development and function provides an important framework in which to examine disease states, as well as insights into potentially useful therapeutic interventions.

The Neuroscience faculty within the Graduate Program in Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center have widely diverse interests and are engaged in research projects examining many exciting aspects of neurodevelopment, function and disease.

Neuroscience Faculty