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HAMMER LAB RESEARCH

Our Research Focus

Our main goal is to understand the process of epileptogenesis and to identify novel therapies that reduce seizures and that improve the quality of life of children with epilepsy. The lab combines different technologies and approaches including genomics and functional studies. Learn more about our research and areas of study below.

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OUR RESEARCH

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FUNCTIONAL STUDIES

Our gene expression profiling studies have provided clues as to which biological pathways are altered in the lead up to seizures, and we are beginning functional studies to learn more about these key pathways, and possible ways to target them to prevent seizures.

INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS

In collaboration with Dr. Lalitha Madhavan, we have established a human pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model with the SCN8A-N1768D variant to complement pathophysiological studies in the mouse, and to enhance therapeutic potential.

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GENE EXPRESSION

We study gene expression in brain samples surgically resected from patients with focal epilepsy, from mice with a genetic mutation that causes severe epilepsy in children, and from neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells carrying the same mutation.

MOUSE MODELS

Our models with the Scn8a-N1768D (D/+) mutation on different strains of mice strains permit us to study the processes leading to seizures and to test therapeutic interventions in a system that better represents human epilepsy than current chemical-induced animal models.

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SCN8A

To learn about the science of SCN8A Syndrome, go to SCN8A.net

To help us advance research on rare childhood epilepsy syndromes go to Shay Emma Hammer Research Foundation 

shaysgift.org

CONTACT

Keating 111K
1657 E Helen St
University of Arizona
Tucson AZ 85721

(520) 621-9828

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