Leo J. Pallanck, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Genome Sciences Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability pallanck@genetics.washington.edu 206-616-5997 University of Washington, Box 357730 Seattle, WA 98195-7730

Dr. Pallanck's laboratory uses genetic and molecular approaches to elucidate mechanisms of synapse formation and function and to identify genetic pathways leading to pathology in heritable forms of neurodegenerative disorders. The neurodegenerative disease studies involve fly and insect cell culture models of Parkinson's disease, Niemann Pick type C disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. The long-term goals are to test specific models of disease pathogenesis and identify genetic pathways responsible for pathology in these disorders.

Pallanck’s studies of neuronal function have primarily involved genetic analysis of candidate molecules of the neurotransmitter release apparatus. More recently he has begun to use classical genetic approaches to study this problem, and this work has led to the isolation and preliminary characterization of a collection of synaptic transmission mutants that will be the focus of future investigation.

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu

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