Albers Lab

Combining chemical biology, genetic, and computational approaches in cultured human neural cells and mouse models to elucidate mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis.

In the Albers lab, we combine chemical biology, genetic, and computational approaches cultured human neural cells and mouse models to elucidate mechanistic insights into neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. We validate these insights in human brain tissue and electronic health record databases. We translate validated insights by developing biomarkers and therapeutics that advance precision medicine approaches to neurologic disease.

Laboratory of Olfactory Neurotranslation

In the Laboratory of Olfactory Neurotranslation (LOON), inspired by mouse models of inflammatory olfactory dysfunction, we develop novel at home clinical smell tests to quantify olfactory function and develop algorithms to predict neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia with Lewy Body, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, and accelerate recovery of smell function following COVID infections and Traumatic Brain Injury. These biomarkers can serve as early screening tools and provide primary or secondary outcomes in clinical trials of patients with these diseases.

Laboratory of Neurologic Therapeutic Science

In the Laboratory of Neurologic Therapeutic Science (LONTS), we combine in vitro human neural cell systems, mouse lines, and autopsied human brains as model systems of disease with computational approaches including machine learning and multiplexed imaging with spatial transcriptomics to elucidate mechanisms of neurodegeneration. We prosecute candidate drug targets and generate candidate biomarkers for validation in human clinical trials using systems pharmacology approaches of FDA-approved, experimental, and novel drugs. In parallel, we emulate clinical trials in multiple electronic health record datasets to validate FDA-approved “hits” emerging from our laboratory and computational discovery efforts.