Learn about our unparalleled research facilities and the 7 research areas our department focuses on.
Research Areas Heading link
Our esteemed faculty members are pioneers in exploring the intricate mechanisms of the brain, covering its development, aging, and the challenges it presents. Discover the compelling research areas:
Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Many of our faculty share broad interest in understanding neurodegeneration, with particular emphases on Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington’s diseases and their underlying pathophysiologies.
Cancer of the Brain
The biology of neuroblastoma, a common extracranial pediatric sold tumor with an emphasis on innovative immunotherapies against high-risk neuroblastoma.
Cerebral Vascular Function and Neuroinflammation
The role of the brain vasculature, the blood brain barrier and the impact of neuroinflammation in causation or acceleration of neurodegenerative disorders is increasingly recognized as a key factor. A number of our faculty have mature or growing research interests in this area, with interests immune cell infiltration of the nervous system, signaling in inflammatory responses of the brain and the impacts of these effects on neurodegenerative diseases.
Myelination and Demyelinating Disorders
Demyelinating diseases are crippling disorders, whose origins may lie in genetic, immunological or development origins. Our faculty have interests in the origins and development of these disorders, from metabolism of oligodendrocytes to immune cell penetration of the brain and neuroinflammation.
Neurobiology of the Synapse
Synapses, and synaptic plasticity are key to brain function. The complexity of these extraordinary molecular and cellular machines is the principal area of research of many of our faculty, working on synapses of the mammalian CNS, from cortex to spinal cord, as well as accessible and specialized synapses that can lead to key insights into synaptic function.
Neurodevelopment, Neurogenesis and Plasticity
Our interests range from neurogenesis in the aging brain through developmental plasticity and disorders of early development of the brain to the role of signaling and effects of drugs of abuse as well as in neuron transport processes associated with development and aging.
Sensory and Motor Systems
Our faculty share interests from sensory synaptic mechanisms, through sensorimotor integration, to the microcircuits of motor control. We use molecular genetic, live imaging, immunocytochemical, electron microscopic end electrophysiogical approaches to understand synapse and circuits.
Helpful Links Heading link
Research Facilities Heading link
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology faculty, postdocs, and students have access to the department’s core research equipment. In addition, UIC offers many centralized services to the research community.
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Research Resources Center (RRC)
The Research Resources Center (RRC) maintains and supports high-technology scientific equipment for use by research faculty and staff. RRC personnel provide user access to the instruments, training on use of the instruments, and their own service and expertise in the application of the equipment for solving a wide range of problems for chemical, biological and structural characterization. Research support services include:
- UI Biorepository
- Mass Spectrometry
- Center for Research Informatics
- Metabolomics and Proteomics
- Core Imaging (light microscopy)
- Nanotechnology Core Facility
- DNA Services
- Protein Research Laboratory
- Electron Microscopy
- Research Histology & Tissue Imaging
- Flow Cytometry
- Small Animal Imaging
- Genomics
- Scientific Instrument Shop
- High Throughput Screening
- Scientific Supply Center
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Transgenic Production Service
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Biological Resources Laboratory (BRL)
The Biological Resources Laboratory (BRL) is the centralized animal facility at UIC. The staff of the BRL oversees the procurement, care, and maintenance of animals used in the research at UIC. This includes ensuring that the UIC animal care program meets federal regulations, the requirements of AAALAC, and currently accepted standards for providing adequate veterinary care and proper animal husbandry. The professional staff is also responsible for consulting with research and teaching staff, conducting graduate and technical courses, directing the postdoctoral training program, and supporting the protocol review system of the institution’s IACUC, the Animal Care Committee (ACC).
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Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS)
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) serves as the intellectual and geographic home for clinical and translational research at UIC. The CCTS has been funded by the National Institutes of Health via a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) since 2009. The CCTS now serves as the institutional home for clinical and translational research by coordinating resources and services that facilitate health research and advance knowledge across the translational spectrum. To provide support at all stages of the translational spectrum, the CCTS offers a variety of consultative services:
- Biomedical Informatics Core
- Drug Discovery UICentre
- Biostatistics Core
- Recruitment & Retention Program
- Clinical Research Center
- Regulatory Support & Advocacy Core
- Community Engagement
- Research Navigation
- Dissemination & Implementation
- Research & Policy Program