Case Western Reserve University · GeneticsSchaffer Neurogenetics Lab
Ashleigh E Schaffer · Cleveland, Ohio
Research Focus
Dr. Ashleigh Schaffer's lab at Case Western Reserve University focuses on understanding the genetic causes of neurodegenerative diseases, especially those that affect children. They study the role of RNA-binding proteins in neuron health and how mutations in these proteins can lead to severe brain disorders. By using innovative models like human stem cells and animal studies, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic approaches for treating these devastating diseases.
neurodegenerationRNA-binding proteinsmotor neuron diseasechildhood disordersgenetic mutations
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of RNA-binding proteins in neuronal development and function.
AIM 02Identify pathogenic mRNA isoforms associated with genetic mutations.
AIM 03Develop pre-clinical models for studying pediatric neurodegenerative diseases.
AIM 04Test candidate gene-based therapies in novel disease models.
AIM 05Correlate molecular changes with disease pathology to understand etiology.
Skills the Lab Values
human stem cell cultureanimal model studieshigh-throughput sequencingelectrophysiologyhistologybehavioral assaysRNA processing techniquesgene expression analysisimmunohistochemistrymolecular profiling
Output against the department
Publications48bottom 8% of dept.236th of 259
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.9kbottom 16% of dept.218th of 259
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.