Vibrant, Interactive, & Inclusive Department.Investigating key physiology and neurobiology questions using diverse approaches

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Department of
Physiology and Neurobiology

We carry out research and education that is innovative, collaborative, and centered on cutting-edge science. We bring together researchers and educators focused on the molecular, cellular, and circuit-based mechanisms that underlie diverse functions orchestrated by the brain and body. By integrating work across the spectrum of Physiology and Neurobiology, we aim to advance our understanding of brain-body functions and interactions under normal conditions and disease. 

Our department is home to nationally recognized researchers in neuroscience, physiology, and education.

A Message From The Department Head

'Welcome to the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB) website at the University of Connecticut. PNB, formerly the Physiology section of the Department of Biological Sciences, was established as a department in 1986. Today, PNB is one of the twenty-five departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We are a vibrant, collegial, interactive, and inclusive department, housed in the Pharmacy/Biology and Torrey Life Science Buildings on the UConn Storrs main campus.

PNB is the home to twenty-two faculty members with diverse cultural and educational background who are investigating fundamental physiology and neurobiology questions using a variety of approaches. Research areas include neurobiology, reproductive biology, development, RNA processing, and human disease models, as well as research on STEM education. We also oversee the Bioscience Electron Microscopy Laboratory, which provides service and training to users across the Storrs campus.'

READ FULL MESSAGE

'Welcome to the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB) website at the University of Connecticut. PNB, formerly the Physiology section of the Department of Biological Sciences, was established as a department in 1986. Today, PNB is one of the twenty-five departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We are a vibrant, collegial, interactive, and inclusive department, housed in the Pharmacy/Biology and Torrey Life Science Buildings on the UConn Storrs main campus.'

READ FULL MESSAGE

Departmental Officers

Nishiyama, Akiko

Akiko Nishiyama

Department Head

Mulkey, Dan

Dan Mulkey

Associate Department Head

Walikonis, Randy

Randy Walikonis

Director of Graduate Studies

Chen, Xinnian

Xinnian Chen

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Boundless Research

Boundless Research

Recent Publications

Tzingounis Figure 1

KCNQ2/3 Gain-of-Function Variants and Cell Excitability: Differential Effects in CA1 versus L2/3 Pyramidal Neurons

Varghese N, Moscoso B, Chavez A, Springer K, Ortiz E, Soh H, Santaniello S, Maheshwari A, Tzingounis AV.

J Neurosci. 2023 Sep 20;43(38):6479-6494. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0980-23.2023. Epub 2023 Aug 22.

Yu Synopsis

Regulation of LRRK2 mRNA stability by ATIC and its substrate AICAR through ARE-mediated mRNA decay in Parkinson's disease

Liu Q, Zhu D, Li N, Chen S, Hu L, Yu J, Xiong Y.

EMBO J. 2023 Aug 1;42(15):e113410. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022113410. Epub 2023 Jun 27.

Hou Figure 1

KCNQ2 channels regulate the population activity of neonatal GABAergic neurons ex vivo

Hou B, Santaniello S, Tzingounis AV.

Front Neurol. 2023 Jun 20;14:1207539. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1207539. eCollection 2023.

Oramas Figure 1

The bHLH-PAS transcriptional complex Sim:Tgo plays active roles in late oogenesis to promote follicle maturation and ovulation

Oramas R, Knapp EM, Zeng B, Sun J.

Development. 2023 Jun 15;150(12):dev201566. doi: 10.1242/dev.201566. Epub 2023 Jun 14.

Kanadia Graphical Abstract

Minor intron splicing is critical for survival of lethal prostate cancer

Augspach A, Drake KD, Roma L, Qian E, Lee SR, Clarke D, Kumar S, Jaquet M, Gallon J, Bolis M, Triscott J, Galván JA, Chen Y, Thalmann GN, Kruithof-de Julio M, Theurillat JP, Wuchty S, Gerstein M, Piscuoglio S, Kanadia RN, Rubin MA.

Mol Cell. 2023 Jun 15;83(12):1983-2002.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.05.017. Epub 2023 Jun 8.

Mulkey Front Neural Circuits

Perspectives on the basis of seizure-induced respiratory dysfunction

Mulkey DK, Milla BM.

Front Neural Circuits. 2022 Dec 20;16:1033756. doi: 10.3389/fncir.2022.1033756. eCollection 2022. PMID: 36605420.

Yu EMBO Article Figure

Myotubularin functions through actomyosin to interact with the Hippo pathway.

Hu L, Brichalli W, Li N, Chen S, Cheng Y, Liu Q, Xiong Y, Yu J.

EMBO Rep. 2022 Dec 6;23(12):e55851. doi: 10.15252/embr.202255851. Epub 2022 Oct 26. PMID: 36285521

Tasso Neuroscience Figure

The mammalian nodal action potential: new data bring new perspectives

Tanner GR, Tzingounis AV.

Adv Physiol Educ. 2022 Dec 1;46(4):693-702. doi: 10.1152/advan.00171.2021. Epub 2022 Sep 29. PMID: 36173340

Kanadia Science Figure

The small RNA landscape is stable with age and resistant to loss of dFOXO signaling in Drosophila.

Gartland S, Zeng B, Marr MT

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 16;17(11):e0273590. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273590. eCollection 2022. PMID: 36383505

Tzingounis neurobiology journal cover

Presentation and integration of multiple signals that modulate oligodendrocyte lineage progression and myelination.

Fekete CD, Nishiyama A.

Front Cell Neurosci. 2022 Nov 14;16:1041853. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1041853. eCollection 2022.

Jackson neurobiology journal cover

A common framework for mouse hypothalamic cell atlases.

Jackson AC.

Nat Metab. 2022 Oct;4(10):1227-1228. doi: 10.1038/s42255-022-00660-3.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Department of Physiology and Neurobiology seeks to provide a nurturing environment for all students. As a department, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive community for instruction, research, and outreach activities congruent with the mission of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the University.

PNB News

Members of our department are making the latest advancements in science and education and obtaining competitive grants and awards. Check out our PNB News site where we highlight members of our community and the latest PNB news!

Undergraduate Program

Our goal is to prepare our students for diverse careers in research, medicine, biotechnology, government, and many other fields. Undergraduate students in PNB courses are trained to think critically about classic and emerging challenges in the field, as well as a diverse range of tools to take them on.

Graduate Program

Our department offers a Ph.D. program, and M.S. programs that are either thesis or coursework. Our graduate program focuses on the development of technical skills, critical thinking, and effective scientific communication. Our faculty are well funded and work closely with students to engage in cutting-edge research. In addition to these advanced degrees, our department offers a one-year M.S. program in Surgical Neurophysiology for students who are interested in intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM).

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