Among the most fascinating and complex questions in biology is how just 20,000 genes can hold all the instructions for generating the human brain, an organ capable of enacting a nearly infinite assortment of behaviors. The related question of how distinct subsets of the genome become selectively expressed during neurodevelopment, cell specification and experience-dependent plasticity evokes comparable complexity and wonderment. The remarkable suite of technologies available in modern molecular/cellular neuroscience allows us to begin to comprehensively address these questions, which are of fundamental relevance to our understanding of our brains, which represent the most complicated structure in the known universe.
The Ferguson lab studies how genes control the formation and function of the mammalian brain. In general, projects build upon the identification of loci that underlie inherited neurologic disease, recognizing that this approach represents a direct route toward ascertaining the essential genetic pathways in the brain. We are especially interested in the role of ubiquitin signaling and degradative pathways in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. To study these conditions, we employ genetically modified mice as our model system and apply unbiased methods in genomics (CUT&RUN, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C, Hi-ChIP) and proteomics (TMT-MS) to identify pathogenically relevant molecular interactions. We then delve into molecular and cellular mechanisms using a broad array of targeted approaches, ranging from microscopy to biochemistry and behavior.
We are recruiting curious and motivated post-doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates. Dr. Ferguson is member of the Neurosciences Graduate Program and the Biomedical Sciences graduate program (Cell & Developmental Biology and Genetics & Genomics). Interested individuals should email Dr. Ferguson at cferguson@health.ucsd.edu with their CV and brief statement of interest.
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.