University of California-Los Angeles · NeuroscienceVarghese Lab
Varghese John · Los Angeles, California
Research Focus
Dr. Varghese John's lab at UCLA focuses on developing innovative solutions for Alzheimer's disease (AD) through gene editing. By targeting the APOE4 gene, a major genetic risk factor for AD, the lab utilizes a cutting-edge delivery system called synthetic exosomes to transport CRISPR components across the blood-brain barrier. The lab's goal is to optimize this gene-editing technique to improve cognitive function in AD models and facilitate potential clinical applications.
CRISPRAlzheimer's Diseasegene editingsynthetic exosomesblood-brain barrierApolipoprotein Etherapeuticsneurobiology
Research Aims
4AIM 01Optimize the dosage and delivery schedule of SE-CRISPR for effective gene editing in Alzheimer's models.
AIM 02Enhance the synthesis of synthetic exosomes to improve CRISPR delivery and editing efficiency.
AIM 03Assess the efficacy and safety of SE-CRISPR in animal models of Alzheimer's disease over time.
AIM 04Translate findings from mouse models to rat models to pave the way for human clinical trials.
Skills the Lab Values
CRISPRgene editingmicrofluidic synthesisanimal modelsNext-Generation Sequencing (NGS)biochemical analysisIV infusion techniqueslipid nanoparticle formulationbehavioral assays
Output against the department
Publications130bottom 46% of dept.364th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.8kbottom 34% of dept.440th 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.