microscope image

Elucidating Molecular Circuits Supporting Neuronal Signaling and Health

sheet light

Optical sectioning of a whole mouse brain via the Blaze Light Sheet Ultramicroscope demonstrates c-fos labeling at increasing magnification moving from A to D where individual activated cells are readily detected.

c-fos labelling showing neuronal activation on a whole mouse brain. After immunolabelling and tissue clearing, brain was scanned on the Blaze Light Sheet Ultramicroscope. Credits: Lorena Areal, Paula Kurdziel and Jana Strickler.

Research in the Blakely laboratory focuses on the structure, regulation and disease relevance of neurotransmitter transporters, proteins that govern the inactivation of chemical signals released at synapses to elicit target activation and inhibition and ultimately control the way we think, move and behave. The work utilizes a range of physiological, optical, genetic and genomic methods to understand how changes in transporter function can support neuroplasticity as well as neural disorders. The researchers use multiple model systems that include the powerful genetic model C. elegans, where discovery of molecules that support neural signaling and health is enhanced by rapid growth and ease of genetic manipulation. Other studies utilize genetically modified mice whose complex circuitry and behaviors align with those present in humans and can allow for modeling of neurobehavioral and neurodegenerative disorders. In collaboration, the researchers pursue studies in humans exhibiting the molecular and circuit changes they have observed in animal models and aid in the development of novel therapeutics. Together, these tools, models and paradigms are pursued to advance understanding, diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases that impact the lives of millions worldwide, disorders ranging from ADHD and autism to neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

NEWS
Brain, Arrow, Graph
FAU Engineers and Sensing Institute Map the Brain's Blood Flow
Researchers built a detailed computer model of mouse brain vasculature, offering new insights into brain protection and potential breakthroughs in diagnosing stroke, Alzheimer's and traumatic brain injuries.
READ
Students, Researcher, Lab
FAU Receives NIH Grant to Investigate Amphetamine Addiction
With this grant, the FAU research team will use tiny roundworms to study how amphetamines disrupt dopamine, aiming to uncover addiction mechanisms and train the next generation of neuroscience researchers.
READ
astroglia
AI Reveals Astrocytes Play a 'Starring' Role in Dynamic Brain Function
A new FAU study shows astrocytes help neurons fire in sync, shaping brain rhythms key for attention, memory and sleep - guiding how groups of neurons work together during high-focus or restful states.
READ
NEW BLAKELY LAB PUBLICATIONS

Kappa opioid receptor antagonism restores phosphorylation, trafficking and behavior induced by a disease-associated dopamine transporter variant.
Mayer FP, Stewart A, Varman DR, Moritz AE, Foster JD, Owens AW, Areal LB, Gowrishankar R, Velez M, Wickham K, Phelps H, Katamish R, Rabil M, Jayanthi LD, Vaughan RA, Daws LC, Blakely RD, Ramamoorthy S.
Mol Psychiatry. 2025 May 29. doi: 10.1038/s41380-025-03055-4. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40442453


Glial swip-10 controls systemic mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and neuronal viability via copper ion homeostasis.
Rodriguez P, Kalia V, Fenollar-Ferrer C, Gibson CL, Gichi Z, Rajoo A, Matier CD, Pezacki AT, Xiao T, Carvelli L, Chang CJ, Miller GW, Khamoui AV, Boerner J, Blakely RD.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Sep 24;121(39):e2320611121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2320611121. Epub 2024 Sep 17.
PMID: 39288174


Forward genetic screen of the C. elegans million mutation library reveals essential, cell-autonomous contributions of BBSome proteins to dopamine signaling.
Refai O, Rodriguez P, Gichi Z, Blakely RD.
J Neurochem. 2024 Sep;168(9):2073-2091. doi: 10.1111/jnc.16188. Epub 2024 Aug 8.
PMID: 39118406


Novel anti-inflammatory effects of the IL-1 receptor in kidney myeloid cells following ischemic AKI.
Chen Y, Lu X, Whitney RL, Li Y, Robson MJ, Blakely RD, Chi JT, Crowley SD, Privratsky JR.
Front Mol Biosci. 2024 Apr 17;11:1366259. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1366259. eCollection 2024.
PMID: 38693918


Long COVID-19 and Peripheral Serotonin: A Commentary and Reconsideration.
Anderson GM, Cook EH, Blakely RD, Sutcliffe JS, Veenstra-VanderWeele J.J
Inflamm Res. 2024 Apr 11;17:2169-2172. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S456000. eCollection 2024.
PMID: 38628604


Announcements

Samantha (Sammy) Stoltz

We welcome Samantha (Sammy) Stoltz, newest member of the Blakely lab staff. Sammy is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, graduating with a B.S. in Biology summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA and UCF Top Honor Graduate. We are all looking forward to working with you Sammy!

Erin Bell

Congratulations to Erin Bell, undergraduate in the Wilkes Honors College, for receiving awards from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) and the Nambu Program to advance her training and research in the Blakely lab. Hear the sounds of many hands clapping Erin!

Paula Kurdziel

Congratulations to Dr. Paula Kurdziel for the funding of her project "Transcriptome Analysis of CNS Serotonin Neurons In Situ in Response to Peripheral Inflammation" from the Florida Atlantic University Research Cores Internal Pilot Program. Yay Paula!

Siddhi Gavkar

Congratulations to Siddhi Gavkar for the awarding of her degree in the Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University in December of 2024. Way to go Siddhi! We will miss you.

Pursuing Research and Education at the FAU Jupiter Campus

Florida Atlantic University Research Excellence

Randy Blakely

Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D.
Executive Director
FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute
David J.S. Nicholson Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience,
Professor, Dept Biomedical Science
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

Click here for Dr. Blakely’s Curriculum Vitae.

Click here for Dr. Blakely's professional biography. Updated 1/2025

lab image 1
lab image 2
lab image 3
lab image 4
lab image 5