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The central goal of our studies is to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms of diseases that disrupt the motor system. In exploring these diseases, we also aim to understand a fundamental question relevant to CNS disease generally: what factors determine the selective vulnerability of particular cell types or circuits to insults? Our primary focus is on Parkinson’s disease and inherited forms of dystonia. We focus our efforts on disease genes that cause these disorders, employing a range of molecular, cellular, and whole animal studies to dissect the normal role of disease proteins, and how pathogenic mutations lead to disease.

We anticipate providing mechanistic understanding of clinical trial observations through the examination of patient biospecimens and in vivo modeling in mice. 

Skip to main content Publications Kim S, Phan S, Tran HT, Shaw TR, Shahmoradian SH, Ellisman MH, Veatch SL, Barmada SJ, Pappas SS, Dauer WT. TorsinA is essential for neuronal nuclear pore complex localization and maturation. Nat Cell Biol. 2024 Sep;26(9):1482-1495. doi: 10.1038/s41556-024-01480-1. Ep…

Skip to main content Lab Members Meet the Principal Investigator William T. Dauer, M.D. Director, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute Lois C.A. and Darwin E. Smith Distinguished Chair in Neurological Mobility Research Department of Neurology Department of Neuroscience UT Southwestern Medical Center E…

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Dr. Zhu has investigated disease mechanisms and attempted to develop novel therapeutic strategies for tumor suppressor gene (TSG), syndrome-associated tumors in the nervous system, and neuropsychiatric disorders.