Psychiatry Cell Biology Laboratory
Located on the main floor of ECMC, this fully equipped basic research laboratory specializes in studies of cell signaling in psychiatric disorders.
Elsa Daurignac, PhD, research assistant professor, and volunteer research assistant Evan Kristansen measure reagents to prepare to add them to a sample solution.
In addition to preparing specimens for clinical trials, the laboratory specializes in studies of cell signaling in psychiatric disorders and the metabolic effects of olanzapine in healthy participants. We are particularly interested in measuring aspects of intracellular calcium ion signaling in blood platelets of people with bipolar disorder and determining the predictive value of the effect of lithium on intracellular calcium levels in the treatment outcome of these individuals.
Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is associated with weight gain, hyperlipidemia and Type 2 diabetes among psychiatric patients. Our study is designed to illuminate the processes that underlie these effects but focuses on individuals without psychiatric disorders.
This facility has its own suite of equipment on-site, including a spectrophotometer, Beckman Coulter counter, centrifuges and freezers.
Select students and residents may train here as research assistants.
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