Boston University · BiochemistryPrion Dynamics Lab
David A Harris · Boston, Massachusetts
Research Focus
David A Harris's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind inherited prion diseases—neurodegenerative disorders caused by misfolded proteins. By using advanced techniques like induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the lab studies how mutations in prion proteins lead to neuronal damage and other cellular dysfunctions. This research aims to uncover potential therapies not only for prion diseases but also for related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
prion diseasesneurodegenerationmutant PrPhuman iPSCsneurotoxicityCNS cell typesAlzheimer's diseasegenetic variantstherapeutics
Research Aims
3AIM 01Analyze the properties of mutant PrP in human-derived neurons and astrocytes.
AIM 02Investigate the role of neuronal-glial interactions in prion disease pathogenesis.
AIM 03Identify protective genetic variants in resilient individuals with the E200K mutation.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureinduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)neuronal differentiationgenetic sequencing (exome)immunohistochemistrysynaptic transmission analysisdrug screeningastrocyte modelingsignal transduction assays
Output against the department
Publications224top 35% of dept.142nd of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations13ktop 37% of dept.149th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
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