
Chao Lab 2020
(left to right - via zoom) top row: Hsiao-Tuan Chao, Darrion Nguyen, Harim Delgado Seo (right); bottom row: Maimuna Sali Paul, Vanessa Iroegbulem, John Hayes
About the Lab
Neurodevelopmental disorders encompass a broad constellation of conditions including intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism, schizophrenia, and other neuropsychiatric conditions. One emerging theme in the field is that disrupted inhibitory neuronal development and function is found in association with many neurologic and psychiatric disorders. This would be consistent with the growing body of knowledge that inhibitory neurons are highly diverse and key for virtually all aspects of neurobiology from neural circuit development to modulating neuronal activity to information processing.
In the Chao Lab, we integrate cross-species approaches in humans to uncover the genetic etiologies of neurodevelopmental disorders, fruit flies to elucidate the molecular pathways, and mice to explore the cascade of events in the mammalian brain. A wide variety of approaches and techniques are employed in our laboratory including genetically engineered mouse and fruit fly models, structural and functional analyses with electrophysiology, confocal and super-resolution imaging, transcriptomics, molecular and cellular assays, and comprehensive behavioral profiling. Our goal is to determine the role of inhibitory dysfunction in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders by deciphering how genetic alterations perturb inhibition in the brain, impact neural development, and lead to abnormal neurologic output.

Lab Collaboration
2019 - Lab members Jacquelyn Bridgeman and Hsiao-Tuan Chao collaborating on a research project.

Poster Presentation
Darrion Nguyen (right) presenting his poster at the 2019 BCM McNair Medical Institute Research Symposium.

Research Symposium
Hudin Jackson (right) at the 2018 HHMI Medical Fellows Research Symposium.

Chao Members and Friends
The Chao lab members gather with friends for a 2019 holiday celebration.

Celebrating International Women's Day
(Left to right) Jacqui Bridgeman, Veronica He, Darrion Nguyen, Hsiao-Tuan Chao (P.I.), Melissa Ortiz

Awardees
Our 2018 NIH High-Risk High-Reward Early Independence Awardees.
Clinical Study
Natural history and molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including EBF3-related Hypotonia, Ataxia, and Delayed Development Syndrome (HADDS).

Contact Us
Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute
1250 Moursund St
Houston, TX 77030
hsiaotuan.chao@bcm.edu
bridgema@bcm.edu
Phone: (832) 824-8806