University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · NeuroscienceLee Tauopathy Lab
Michael K Lee · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus
Dr. Michael K Lee's research lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding the relationship between alpha-synuclein and tau proteins in various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. The lab uses genetic techniques to manipulate these proteins in mouse models to explore their roles in cognitive function and disease progression. This research aims to uncover potential therapeutic targets to mitigate cognitive deficits associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
tauopathyalpha-synucleindementianeurodegenerationcognitive impairmentgenetic approachesmouse modelstau expressionsynaptic functiontherapeutic targets
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how alpha-synuclein regulates human tau expression.
AIM 02Assess the impact of alpha-synuclein on tau pathology.
AIM 03Evaluate the effects of SNCA gene ablation on cognitive deficits.
AIM 04Determine the relationship between tau aggregation and synaptic function.
AIM 05Explore therapeutic implications of targeting alpha-synuclein in dementia.
Skills the Lab Values
genetic manipulationconditional knockouttransgenic mouse modelsRNA purificationcell culture techniquesprotein analysisbehavioral assaysimmunohistochemistryWestern blottingdata interpretation
Output against the department
Publications314top 21% of dept.142nd of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations26ktop 15% of dept.98th of 671
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.