I lead a highly collaborative research team that investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. For twenty years, I led a research lab at the University of Chicago, investigating multiple aspects of Alzheimer's disease cell biology. Recently, I moved to the University of South Florida to take on additional leadership role as Associate Dean of Neuroscience Research. Research in my lab investigates mechanisms that regulate Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and neuronal dysfunction. We have made outstanding contributions to our understanding of amyloid precursor protein (APP) trafficking as well as the biology of BACE1 and gamma-secretase, the two enzymes that sequentially cleave APP to generate amyloid-beta peptides. More recently, we turned our focus on the characterization of late-onset AD risk factors identified by GWAS efforts. Our initial manuscripts on BIN1, which describes the novel and interesting information on the cellular expression and localization of BIN1 in the rodent and the human brain were recently published. My lab uses an integrated approach that combines hypothesis-driven mutagenesis, biochemical characterization, detailed subcellular localization, advanced live-cell imaging, advanced microscopy, and electrophysiology to accomplish our goals. Cultured non-neuronal cells, primary hippocampal neurons, transgenic, knock-out, and gene-targeted mice serve as experimental models in our investigation. I have been fortunate to mentor over twenty post-doctoral fellows and students. Many have moved on to establish successful careers in academic research and medicine.https://www.thinakaranlab.org