INTEGRATIVE NEUROBIOLOGY OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
NEWS
THE CHOE LAB WILL OPEN ITS DOORS IN SEPTEMBER 2020!
June 6, 2020
Our lab will be a part of the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB) at McMaster University. We are so excited to be a part of this highly interdisciplinary Department!
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RESEARCH
The brain controls behaviour in an extremely complex manner, involving various processes at molecular, cellular, circuit, and network levels. Disease-linked gene mutations can create functional disruptions at any of these levels. In our lab, we use a multi-level, integrative research strategy to link how gene mutations associated with psychiatric disorders disrupt social behaviour.
OXYTOCIN AND ASD
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone known to influence key components of social behaviour, such as relationship bonding and trust. We are currently investigating potential molecular and circuit mechanisms involved in impaired function of the central oxytocin system and its link to the social symptoms of ASD
CONVERGENT AND DIVERGENTÂ MECHANISMSÂ IN NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia have a significant genetic component. More than 100 risk genes have been identified for each condition, and a number of these overlap across disorders. Which neurobiological pathways do these gene mutations converge on? Conversely, how do disruptions in a single gene serve as a risk factor for multiple psychiatric disorders? We aim to answer these questions using an integrative research pipeline that combines molecular, cellular, and circuit approaches in animal models.
TECHNIQUES
Our goal is to integrate discoveries made with a wide spectrum of research techniques to drive forward our knowledge of the brain.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
qPCR
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Bulk and single-cell RNA-seq
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Immunohistochemistry
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Western Blotting
IMAGING
Brain clearing (e.g. iDISCO)
Lightsheet imaging
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Confocal imaging
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
In vitro slice electrophysiology​
(extracellular, whole-cell patch-clamp)
In vivo multi-unit electrophysiology in freely behaving mice
MOUSE BEHAVIOUR
3-chamber social interaction test
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Juvenile social play
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Open field test
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Y Maze
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MOUSEÂ MRI
Structural MRI
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Resting-state fMRI
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Optogenetic fMRI
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Pharmacologic MRI
PEOPLE
KATRINA CHOE
Assistant Professor
(Appointment starting September 2020)
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB)
McMaster University
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B.Sc. (Hons.). University of Toronto
Ph.D. Neuroscience, McGill University, Mentor: Charles Bourque
Postdoctoral Fellowship, UCLA. Mentor: Thomas Otis
Postdoctoral Fellowship, UCLA. Mentor: Daniel Geschwind
WE'RE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM!
We're looking for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral trainees. Get in touch!
Picture credits: Rick and Morty
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
OPTOGENETIC FMRI AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF REGION-SPECIFIC CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THE CEREBELLAR CORTEX AND FOREBRAIN.
NeuroImage (2018)
Choe, K.Y., Sanchez, C.F., Harris, N.G., Otis, T.S., and Mathews, P.J.
EFFECTS OF SALT LOADING ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF ASTROCYTES IN THE VENTRAL GLIA LIMITANS OF THE RAT SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEUS.
J Neuroendocrinology (2016)
Choe, K.Y., Prager-Khoutorsky, M., Farmer, W.T., Murai, K.K., and Bourque C.W.
HIGH SALT INTAKE INCREASES BLOOD PRESSURE VIA BDNF-MEDIATED DOWNREGULATION OF KCC2 AND IMPAIRED BAROREFLEX INHIBITION OF VASOPRESSIN NEURONS.
Neuron (2016)
Choe, K.Y., Han, S.Y., Gaub, P., Shell, B., Voisin, D.L., Knapp, B.A., Barker, P.A., Brown, C., Cunningham,J.T., and Bourque, C.W.
CONTACT US
We are located in the Psychology Building at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
