Research on the one defective gene that causes the rare autism-related disorder could lead to broader breakthroughs Full article found here.

Several UNC School of Medicine faculty members were a part of three interdisciplinary research projects awarded $25,000 pilot grants through the UNC Autism Research Center. Full article found here.

As director of the Neuroscience Microscopy Core, Michelle Itano teaches researchers how to take beautiful, complex images of specimens and other microscopic objects, assisting them with data analysis, image processing, problem-solving and tailored advice for their specific projects. Full article found here.

The Awards for Excellence in Basic Science Mentoring went to Joyce Besheer, PhD, Sharon Campbell, PhD, Charles Perou, PhD, and Will Valdar, PhD. The Nova Awards for Mentoring went to Adriana Beltran, PhD, Jessica Bowser, PhD, and Natalie Stanley, PhD. Full article found here.

Gregory Scherrer, PharmD, PhD, associate professor of cell biology and physiology and member of the UNC Neuroscience Center, received a Director’s Award for Excellence in Research, and Sarah Linnstaedt, PhD, associate professor of anesthesiology, earned an honorable mention for the Director’s Trailblazer award. Full article found here.  

Researchers from the UNC School of Medicine, led by Ian Shih, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of Neurology and Associate Director of the Biomedical Research Imaging Center, revealed the role of the insular cortex in controlling the Default Mode Brain Network. Full article found here.

The Junior Faculty Development Awards are funded by IBM and R. J. Reynolds Industries, Inc. and are typically announced in the late fall. This award grants $10,000 to support scholarly pursuits over one calendar year. Full article found here.

Michelle Itano, PhD, an assistant professor in the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, is one of ten co-principal investigators that received a two year grant called “Curated Imaging Science Education for Learners and Trainers.” Full article found here.

Spectrum published a profile titled, “Asleep in the Mouse House with Graham Diering,” featuring basic sleep research out of Diering’s cell biology and physiology lab and its implications for individuals with autism. Full article found here.

The Danish neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard, MD, DMSc, professor in the department of neurology at the University of Rochester, will receive the Perl-UNC Neuroscience Prize at a ceremony in March. Full article found here.