Fonken Lab
Principal Investigator: Laura K Fonken
Institution: The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
Primary Subfield: Molecular & Cell Bio
Recruitment Status: Inquire for rotation/fellowship opportunities
Research Focus
Project Summary 6.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), experiencing reduced quality of life and irreversible deterioration of cognitive function. AD development is likely driven by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), yet there remain no broadly effective therapies. We propose that AD pathology may be, in part, caused by circadian dysregulation of peripheral immune cell migration through the CNS. The circadian clock is a critical regulator of biological processes, generating ~24 h rhythms in gene expression, hormone release, and behavior, but its efficacy in various cells and tissues deteriorates with age. Up to 70% of individuals with AD experience circadian disruption and sleep-wake disturbances, which often present years before clinical diagnosis. Circadian dysregulation is therefore a potential biomarker and signal for early intervention in age- and AD-related pathology. The immune system is tightly regulated by the circadian clock, generating daily cycles of immune cell migration throughout the body which leads to temporal windows of high and low immune reactivity. The immune system also critically regulates CNS function; peripheral inflam…
Active NIH Awards
- 5R01AG078758-05: Disrupted Circadian Regulation of Cell Migration at CNS-Immune Interfaces in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (2026)
- 5R01AG078758-04: Disrupted Circadian Regulation of Cell Migration at CNS-Immune Interfaces in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (2025)
- 5R01AG062716-05: Targeting age-related neuroinflammation and postoperative cognitive decline: a microbial-based approach (2024)
- 5R01AG078758-03: Disrupted Circadian Regulation of Cell Migration at CNS-Immune Interfaces in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (2024)
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