UMCUniversity of Massachusetts Chan Medical School · Biochemistry
Thyme Neurodevelopment Lab
Summer B Thyme · Worcester, Massachusetts
Research Focus
Dr. Summer B. Thyme's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding and treating Down syndrome, a condition that often leads to intellectual disabilities. Using zebrafish as a model, the lab investigates the genetic factors from human chromosome 21 that contribute to brain development and function. By screening for small molecules that can counteract the effects of these genes, the lab aims to find potential drug therapies to improve outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome.
Down syndromeneurodevelopmental disordersgenetic screeningzebrafish modeldrug discovery
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the effects of overexpressing genes from chromosome 21 on zebrafish brain development.
AIM 02Study how specific genes disrupt Hedgehog signaling in Down syndrome.
AIM 03Screen for small molecules that can prevent developmental deficits in zebrafish to identify potential new treatments.
Skills the Lab Values
CRISPR-mediated transcriptional activationcell culture techniquesdrug screeningbehavioral assaysgenomicsoptical imaginggene expression analysis
Output against the department
Publications70bottom 14% of dept.346th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.5kbottom 25% of dept.300th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.