University of Alabama at Birmingham · NeuroscienceNeurodevelopment and PTEN Research Lab
Bryan W Luikart · Birmingham, Alabama
Research Focus
Dr. Bryan W. Luikart's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding the role of the PTEN gene in neuron development and its implications for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). By studying how PTEN dysfunction affects neuronal growth and synaptic connections, the research aims to uncover potential new treatment approaches for ASD. The lab employs innovative genetic techniques to explore these crucial aspects of neurobiology that influence cognitive and emotional functions.
PTENautism spectrum disorderneuronal developmentsynaptic connectivityneurobiologygene knockoutcell signalingdendritic growthcytoskeletal dynamics
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how PTEN loss affects neuronal growth and synapse formation.
AIM 02Define the role of cytoskeletal polymerization in neuronal function after PTEN knockout.
AIM 03Examine the subcellular localization of PTEN necessary for effective neuronal growth and synapse formation.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRcell culturemouse modelselectrophysiologyWestern blotimmunohistochemistrygenetic manipulationmicroscopyprotein analysis
Output against the department
Publications66bottom 18% of dept.550th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.1kbottom 37% of dept.421st 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.