The Kumar Lab
We are a group of geneticists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists who are passionate about discoveries of novel targets and models for mental illness through innovation at the confluence of computational, genetic, and genomic methods.
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Our Research Focus
The Kumar Laboratory is located at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. We study neural circuits in the brain whose misregulation leads to behavioral abnormalities including addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and depression. Using mouse molecular genetics as a foundation, and a combination of computational, biochemistry, physiology, and imaging techniques, we dissect these complex conditions in mammals.
Primarily, we use functional genomic approaches in mice to identify genes and pathways that regulate these behaviors. We seek to develop better models of human diseases that can be used by the biomedical research community for therapeutics. Recently, we have applied machine learning and artificial intelligence methods to understand animal behavior at high spatial and temporal resolution, objectively, and over long periods of time. Our work has been published in numerous high impact journals such as Science, eLife, Nature Communications Biology, among others.
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Search MagazineOctober 26, 2021Reshaping brain cells for Alzheimer's study
By isolating and reprogramming brain cells with dementia-causing genetic mutations, a team at JAX offers a powerful new research tool. -
Research HighlightOctober 06, 2021Exploring the complex regulation of protein abundance
Using advanced mouse populations and newly developed research protocols for measuring proteins, JAX researchers are exploring how proteome is regulated, why it varies on individual genetics, and how consistent this is across different populations. -
Press ReleaseSeptember 30, 2021Genomic Innovator Award to JAX's Ryan Tewhey
Special 5-year, $2.5M National Human Genome Research Institute grant funds “highly innovative work” by early-career scientists. -
Featured ArticleSeptember 21, 2021Hartford Business Journal honors Albert Cheng
Assistant Professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Albert Cheng, receives award from the Hartford Business Journal
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Blog PostOctober 25, 2021Assessing patient health risks with limited or unknown family history
With November designated as Family Health History month, clinicians are sure to have seen lots of messaging encouraging their patients to discuss family health history around the Thanksgiving table. But what if there is no family history to be gathered? -
Research HighlightSeptember 30, 2021Investigating the biology of addiction
New mouse models are key to designing better therapeutic interventions for people at risk for addiction. -
Research HighlightSeptember 22, 2021JAX is tracking sub-genomic SARS-CoV-2 variation
Chia-Lin Wei looked at SARS-CoV-2 RNA genomes and sub-genomic viral RNA in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and found distinct, consistent differences between the patient groups. The findings have important implications for developing better COVID-19 risk mitigation and clinical strategies. -
Search MagazineSeptember 08, 2021Researching why and how we age
The Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence is empowering innovative approaches to aging research.