Ferguson Lab
University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
We investigate molecular and circuit-specific mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders, with emphasis on major depressive disorder and addiction.
Research Focus
Using cutting-edge approaches including cell-type specific RNA-seq, optogenetics, spatial transcriptomics, and iPSC-derived organoids to understand the brain.
Depression Circuits
Investigating prefrontal-accumbens neurocircuits mediating response to social stress. Shisa6+ D1-MSN neurons as novel targets.
Addiction Mechanisms
Cell-type specific role of sirtuin signaling in cocaine addiction. Epigenetic regulation of reward circuits.
Synaptic Tools
STAPL-Ex proximity labeling technology. Mapping synaptic protein interactions. Novel circuit manipulation techniques.
Translational Research
iPSC-derived brain organoids for human disease modeling. Collaborations with Salk Institute and NIMH.
Funded Research
Prefrontal-Accumbens Neurocircuits Mediating Response to Social Stress
Understanding circuit maladaptive changes in response to chronic stress and establishing lead neural circuits for targeted interventions to treat depression.
Neuronal and Circuit-Specific Maladaptations Contributing to Cocaine Addiction
Investigating cell-type specific mechanisms underlying addiction-related behaviors in the reward circuitry.