Research Overview
During development, cells and molecules of the central nervous system (CNS) execute an astonishingly intricate, choreographed process that culminates in the precise localization of neurons wired in functional networked circuitry. In the Piao Lab, we seek to understand aspects of this process whose perturbation may persist into adulthood and manifest as neurodevelopmental conditions including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and cerebral palsy. After the formation and wiring is completed, various cells continue to dialogue to maintain normal brain function. Errors in such interactions contribute to neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease. We study how cells in the brain communicate with each other and with the extracellular matrix (ECM) during development and brain homeostasis.
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