About

• Department Affiliations:
• Psychiatry; Genetics

My Research

The Mealer Lab studies genes that increase risk of developing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. As hundreds of psychiatric risk genes have now been identified through large-scale human studies, we attempt to understand how these genetic variations affect brain development and function. We have focused primarily on glycosylation, the process of adding carbohydrates to proteins and lipids to regulate their function, as several glycosylation genes are linked to common (schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s) and severe (epilepsy, intellectual disability) neuropsychiatric disorders. Using cellular models, mouse models, and human samples, combined with techniques of genetics, biochemistry, and neuroscience, we hope to develop new tools to diagnosis and treat individuals affected by severe mental illness.