James E Zadina, PhD, School of Medicine Lab Description Dr. Zadina’s research interests include the neurobiology of opioids and their role in alleviating pain and producing adverse effects, particularly opioid abuse. A current focus is on the development of novel, safer analgesics based on modifications (analogs) of naturally occurring opioids discovered in our laboratory (endomorphins). […]

Contact irutkai@tulane.edu

Lab Description Cortical circuits show a certain degree of plasticity during normal brain functions (e.g., sensory stimulation, memory storage and learning). This plasticity can be altered during development, e.g., autism, but also when the brain is perturbed/damaged (for example during sensory deprivation or stroke). Using state-of-the-art imaging techniques, i.e. two-photon laser microscopy in combination with […]

Prasad Katakam, MD, PhD, School of Medicine Projects Contact Not accepting students through Spring 2025 pkatakam@tulane.edu

Lab Description Studies the therapeutic potential of gene therapy in the treatment of AIDS, lysosomal storage diseases, and the use of hematopoietic stem cells. Topics include tissue-specific expression of therapeutic genes and immunomodulatory effects of gene expression. This intersection has clinical relevance for multiple diseases and therapeutic modalities including gene therapy strategies, transplantation, immunotherapy and […]