Mark Tanouye's Lab
We are interested in developing novel genetic approaches to study the causes of human nervous system disorders. We are especially interested in human epilepsy and have recently developed a genetic model of epilepsy utilizing Drosophila mutants. This model includes several seizure-sensitive mutants that model epilepsy, a number of seizure-suppressor genes that revert epilepsy phenotypes, and seizure-enhancer genes that exacerbate seizure pathology. We have developed electrophysiological and optical recording methods for investigating Drosophila seizures. We utilize powerful genetic and molecular biology methodologies available for Drosophila to facilitate analyses not presently available in humans or other animal models of epilepsy.
