Deitcher, David Lawrence

member of graduate field

other Cornell affiliations

Program in Neuroscience

research overview

My laboratory studies the genetics of epilepsy. We employ Drosophila as a model system for studying epilepsy. Certain classes of Drosophila mutants called bang-sensitives undergo seizures during mechanical stimulation. The bang-sensitive phenotype has several features: the flies have an initial seizure, paralyze, seize again, and then become resistant to further seizures. It is possible to select for genes that suppress or enhance any aspect of the bang-sensitive phenotype. In my lab, we plan to identify genes involved in epileptogenesis through a genome-wide screen for enhancers and suppressors of bang-sensitivity. By identifying genes in epileptogenesis, we hope to identify new drug targets by which epilepsy may be treated.

principal investigator on

CHANNELS, CALCIUM AND PEPTIDE SECRETION awarded by NATL INST OF HEALTH DHHS 2012 - 2013

co-principal investigator on

ENCODING OF VOCAL SIGNALS IN THE AUDITORY SYSTEM awarded by NATL INST OF DEAFNESS & OTHER COMM DISORDER, NIH 2006 - 2012

keywords

Drosophila
epilepsy
neuropeptide
neurotransmitter
vesicle fusion

submitted impact statement

individual publications

academic article
- Evolution of ligand specificity in vertebrate corticosteroid receptors. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 11. 2011
- Corticosteroid receptor expression in a teleost fish that displays alternative male reproductive tactics. Gen Comp endocrinol. 165:83-90. 2010
- Distribution of androgen receptor mRNA expression in vocal, auditory and neuroendocrine circuits in a teleost fish.. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 518:493-512. 2010
- Divergent expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 11beta-hydroxylase genes between male morphs in the central nervous system, sonic muscle and testis of a vocal fish. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 167:44-50. 2010
- The essential role of bursicon during Drosophila development. BMC Developmental Biology. 10:92. 2010
- Calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels are encoded by duplicate slo 1 genes in teleost fishes. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 00:000-000. 2009
- Characterization of mRNA expression in single neurons. Methods Mol Biol. 399:133-52. 2007
- Presynaptic ryanodine receptor-activated calmodulin kinase II increases vesicle mobility and potentiates neuropeptide release. Journal of Neuroscience. 18:7799-806. 2007
- Nearly Neutral Secretory Vesicles in Drosophila Nerve Terminals. Biophysical Journal. 90. 2006
- Activity-dependent liberation of synaptic neuropeptide vesicles. Nat Neurosci. 8:173-8. 2005
- Distribution of estrogen receptor alpha mRNA in the brain and inner ear of a vocal fish with comparisons to sites of aromatase expression. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 483:91-113. 2005
- Morphology and molecular organization of the adult neuromuscular junction of Drosophila. J Comp Neurol. 468:596-613. 2004
- Steroid-dependent auditory plasticity leads to adaptive coupling of sender and receiver. Science. 305:404-407. 2004
- Genes and channels: Patch/Voltage clamp analysis and single-cell RT-PCR. Cell Tiss Res.. 302:295-307. 2000

teaching overview

My educational focus is to meld experimental and theoretical approaches to the study of neuroscience. In my lecture and laboratory courses, there is a strong emphasis on understanding the techniques that were utilized to advance neuroscience. By placing these discoveries in their experimental context, the students have a stronger grasp of what is the current state of neuroscience knowledge.

teaching activities

service to the profession

42nd Annual Drosophila Research Conference Program Organizer 2001 -
Queens University External Thesis Reviewer 2008
University of Toronto External Thesis Reviewer 2008

reviewer or editor for

NSF Grant Review: Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

awards and honors

Kendall Carpenter Memorial Advising Award, 2008

college

CALS

research keyword

Drosophila
epilepsy
neuropeptide
neurotransmitter
vesicle fusion

VIVO: Cornell Research & Scholarship

Deitcher, David Lawrence

Positions

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Affiliations

member of graduate field

other Cornell affiliations

Research

research overview

principal investigator on

co-principal investigator on

keywords

submitted impact statement

Publications

individual publications

academic article

Teaching

teaching overview

teaching activities

Service

service to the profession

reviewer or editor for

Background

awards and honors

Other

college

research keyword