Research

Research conducted at the Carolina Stress Initiative is organized into the following Core components under the direction of Dr. Anthony Zannas and Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera, with the input and guidance from an interdisciplinary group of scientific advisors from the UNC Chapel Hill community (see Faculty tab for full list).

Human Research Core. In this core, we study: the molecular and epigenetic determinants of trauma and stress-related disorders; and how NIH-aligned Research Domain Criteria constructs, such as hyperarousal and avoidance behavior, are shaped within the context of differential responses to stress (i.e. stress susceptibility vs resilience). To address these questions, we combine large-scale analyses in human cohorts with mechanistic investigations in cellular models to identify molecular targets that can be tested in the Animal Research Core and translated to the clinic. The core is led by Dr. Anthony Zannas (Lab Website).

For a list of publications from this core please click here.

Animal Research Core. In this core, we use animal models to provide insights into the neural circuits that mediate hyperarousal and behavioral phenotypes that emerge after trauma and in stress-related disorders. Work in this core is focused on the brain circuits that drive these states by monitoring neuronal activity with both genetic and single-cell precision in mice as a model system. The end goals are to determine epigenetic biomarkers that predict stress susceptibility in mouse models; and test molecular targets that can restore dysfunctional stress circuits and can be translated to the bedside. The core is led by Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera (Lab Website).

For a list of publications from this core please click here.