Research Overview
Andrews' group research is centered on the chemistry of the serotonin neurotransmitter system. The primary goal is to understand more fully the role of serotonin in complex behavior, and the etiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders (depression and anxiety disorders). Genetically engineered mice, as well as selective drugs and neurotoxins are used as tools to investigate normative behavior and disease processes. Neurochemistry in these model systems is interrogated using bioanalytical techniques including high-speed carbon fiber microelectrode voltammetry and in vivo microdialysis coupled to high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.
Additionally, ELISA, RT-qPCR, autoradiography, and immunocytochemistry and are used to investigate neuroadaptive changes in neuronal innervation and the expression of key proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Neurotransmitter-functionalized self-assembled monolayer “neurochips” have recently been designed for the development of novel in vivo nanobiosensors and functionally-directed proteomics.
Andrews' group research is centered on the chemistry of the serotonin neurotransmitter system. The primary goal is to understand more fully the role of serotonin in complex behavior, and the etiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders (depression and anxiety disorders). Genetically engineered mice, as well as selective drugs and neurotoxins are used as tools to investigate normative behavior and disease processes. Neurochemistry in these model systems is interrogated using bioanalytical techniques including high-speed carbon fiber microelectrode voltammetry and in vivo microdialysis coupled to high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.
Additionally, ELISA, RT-qPCR, autoradiography, and immunocytochemistry and are used to investigate neuroadaptive changes in neuronal innervation and the expression of key proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Neurotransmitter-functionalized self-assembled monolayer “neurochips” have recently been designed for the development of novel in vivo nanobiosensors and functionally-directed proteomics.
| Research Projects | Techniques used | Group members |
| Alteration in Serotonin Neurotransmission in Depression and Anxiety disorders | Fast cyclic voltammetry, in vivo Microdialysis, Chronoamperometry, Quantitative RT-PCR, Behavioral tests | Amanda, Yogesh, Brendan |
| BDNF and Neurogenesis | Immunocytochemistry, Quantitative RT-PCR, Behavioral tests | Amanda, Moe, Tracy, Devashree, Stefanie |
| QCM, SPR, Fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy, AFM, FT-IR and Ellipsometry | Mitch, Amit |
