The Kurrasch Lab has three research streams:

(1) Programs that govern brain development. We are especially focused on how hypothalamic neurons become organized into distinct neuronal clusters (“nuclei”). Projects in the lab are focused on the identification and characterization of intrinsic and extrinsic cues that influence hypothalamic cell fate decisions, neuronal migration, and neural function. We also examine the role of embryonic microglia on neural progenitor behaviors in the developing hypothalamus. Finally, we study cell sorting mechanisms that position hypothalamic neurons within their respective nuclei.

As we learn more about these developmental programs, we also study how external challenges such as maternal stress, environmental chemicals, and maternal obesity perturb the neurodevelopmental of this critical brain region.

(2) Psychedelic compounds in the human brain. This multi-disciplinary project studies how psychedelic compounds, such as psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and DMT and proprietary analogs, impact neuronal properties and networks in human brain organoids. We also are collaborating with computational neuroscientists to develop machine learning tools to define social behavior assays in freely moving animals to differentiate the behavioral effects of these compounds.

(3) Novel target and drug discovery for the treatment of refractory epilepsy. This translational program exists in collaboration with our clinician colleagues at Alberta Children's Hospital, the British Columbia Children's Hospital, and Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Using our established metabolism-based screening platform, we have identified novel druggable targets for the treatment of refractory pediatric epilepsies that we have exploited for the development of new therapies. We have one drug in clinical trials and have other lead compounds we are pursuing commercially.

To conduct this research, we employ zebrafish, mice, and human brain organoid models. We rely on a variety of molecular and cellular techniques, including gene editing tools, CLARITY staining, confocal/super-resolution microscopy, time-lapse imaging, scRNASeq & bioinformatics, behavioral paradigms, EEG/e-phys, and neurosphere & cell culturing, among other methods.