Neuroscience

Neurobiology research in MCDB is a remarkably broad-based, collaborative and interdisciplinary endeavor. Employing the state-of-the-art strategies and technologies of biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology, our students and faculty investigate exciting issues ranging from the development of the nervous system to its function, from the demise of the nervous system in neurodegenerative conditions (such as Alzheimer's, Macular Degeneration and retinal detachment) to the regeneration of the nervous system using stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, from molecular mechanisms underlying intracellular protein trafficking to drug addiction to cancer to signal transduction. Our work focuses upon many fascinating specific features of neural cells, including microRNAs, the microtubule associated protein tau, kinase action and regulation, the neuronal cytoskeleton, ion channel structure and function, chromatin structure and axonal transport. Our many UCSB collaborators come from all over the campus including the Departments of Chemistry, Psychology, Physics, Materials, Computer Science as well as the College of Engineering.