User:Ojegede

Some of the most exciting work in Dr. Mekhail’s lab relates to the discovery of genes that eliminate aberrant nucleic acid structures in order to preserve overall genome stability. Mutations affecting such genes are linked to a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Lou-Gehrig’s disease (ALS) as well as spinocerebellar ataxia. Using powerful yeast genetic tools in combination with several mammalian cell systems including neural stem cells, I will directly test how the dysfunction in these fundamental cellular processes promotes disease. We also seek to identify genetic, environmental, and chemical interventions that can rescue the dysfunctional cellular pathways and restore normal neurogenesis. In addition, we anticipate that the fundamental molecular pathways identified will also further our understanding of certain types of cancers that are specifically linked to defects in the same pathways we are studying.