I study a group of cell adhesion molecules called gamma protocadherins, which are important for the development of neural circuitry. To uncover isoform-specific roles among the 22 different gamma protocadherin isoforms, I use CRISPR-Cas9-generated mutant mice that lack subsets of the 22 isoforms. I am also investigating the role of the C-terminal constant domain, which is conserved among the 22 gamma protocadherin isoforms. Using mice with  different mutations in this constant region, I am determining how gamma protocadherins mediate signaling pathways that are involved in dendritic arborization and dendritic spine density.

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