Welcome to the Wong Lab!
The Wong Lab is dedicated towards neuropharmacogenetics research that 1) increases our understanding of the development and progression of pediatric epilepsy, 2) bridges the gap between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, and 3) develops better treatments for epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological disorders. We use a combination of mouse models, human and mouse genetics, neuroscience, pharmacology, molecular methods, EEG, behavioral assessments, and genome analysis/bioinformatics to explore neurological disorders. Our lab projects focus on generating and analyzing mouse models of pediatric epilepsy, uncovering the mechanisms behind specific epilepsy-related mutations, exploring non-seizure behavioral comorbidities, and studying the relationship between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. We are also working on identifying new treatment targets, repurposing drugs, and developing novel treatments for neurological disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and associated behavioral comorbidities.
Understanding Seizure Mechanisms
Our lab aims to understand seizure mechanisms by developing and analyzing mouse models, including constitutive and conditional knock-in and knockout mouse models. With these mouse models, we can identify which brain region and cell types might be involved in seizure generation and propagation. We utilize techniques such as seizure induction and long-term video/EEG monitoring to identify seizure type, and spontaneous seizure frequency, duration, and severity.
Exploring Cognitive and Behavioral Comorbidities
Severe epilepsy is often accompanied by intellectual disability, autism, social behavioral deficits, and learning and memory impairment. Utilizing mouse behavioral assays, we study the cognitive and behavioral abnormalities linked to specific epilepsy genes to better understand and address these comorbidities.
Bridging the gap between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease
We are currently working towards understanding the role of pediatric epilepsy in age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. We use mouse models of epilepsy and AD to study the impact of epilepsy genes on AD-related phenotypes, including neuronal excitability, behavioral comorbidities, and AD neuropathology.
Developing Novel Treatments
We aim to develop more efficacious treatments for refractory epilepsy through a multipronged approach. This includes evaluating both established and novel therapies in mouse models, such as repurposing drugs, identifying gene therapy strategies, and improving the delivery of neuropeptides across the blood-brain barrier using nanoparticle encapsulation.
Investigating the development and progression of early-life epilepsies and the role of early-life epilepsy genes in age-related disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Techniques used in the lab
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Generation and analysis of mouse models
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Brain-region and cell-type specific neuromodulation
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Seizure induction
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Mouse EEG surgery and analyses
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Mouse behavioral analyses
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Histology
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Functional Imaging
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Drug development
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AAV-modulated gene expression
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Nanoparticle delivery of neuropeptides
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​Molecular biology
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Single-cell expression analyses
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RNA sequencing
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Proteomics
Our Collaborative Network
