Samuel Young Email & Phone Number

My laboratory focuses on understanding the presynaptic mechanisms that control the bandwidth of information transfer in different neuronal circuits and developing gene therapy approaches for hearing loss and neurodegenerative disorders. Since addressing these central questions requires a multi-disciplinary approach, I have developed extensive expertise and innovative approaches in biochemistry, molecular biology, virology, recombinant viral vector technology, synaptic physiology, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, and biophysics. We have published several manuscripts that have identified novel molecular mechanisms regulating synaptic vesicle release, presynaptic CaV2.1 channel levels and organization, and presynaptic CaV2.1 regulation of synaptic vesicle release. Our long-term goal is to link these mechanisms to animal behavior and understand how human mutations in presynaptic molecules impact auditory signaling and neurodegenerative diseases. We have developed viral vector expression systems and delivery techniques that are being used collaboratively with many research groups in the field and have been adopted by other outside research groups. In particular, using our extensive expertise in Helper-Dependent Adenoviral (HdAd) vectors, we created a panel of HdAd vectors for researchers in the Michael J. Fox Foundation network. While historically my laboratory has been focused on basic research of cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuron function, my laboratory is now turning our attention to the significant knowledge gap and in tools for translational approaches to develop treatments for sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular hypofunction, cerebellar ataxia and neurodegeneration. Our goal is to develop gene therapy approaches for specific classes of these disorders that are caused by mutations in genes that exceed the AAV packaging capacity. Additionally, I have all the necessary expertise to design experiments, manage labs and personnel, analyze data, prepare manuscripts for publications, and mentor researchers. I have managed budgets and administratively supervised all aspects of my research in accordance with Federal, State, and Institutional policies and regulations.