University of Michigan
Todd Lab
A Translational Neurogenomics Research Lab focused on short tandem repeat expansion disorders and novel therapy development
How Do Repeat Expansions Cause Human Disease?
Over Half of the Human Genome is made up of repetitive elements. Our lab studies the pathologic mechanisms by which expansions in short tandem repeat elements cause neurologic diseases such as ALS, Ataxia, Dementia, and Fragile X Associated Disorders.
We do this using flies, rodents, and human patient iPSC and hESC derived neurons coupled with biochemical, bioinformatic and molecular tools to understand mechanisms of pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Building Pipelines to Effective Therapeutics for Neurological Disorders
Our clinical research aims to develop novel treatments for rare diseases that otherwise have no effective options. We do this through natural history studies and clinical trials in patients with ataxia and related conditions. In addition, as clinical director of the Center for RNA Biomedicine and the Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Dr. Todd and colleagues have designed a Genomic Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC) that works in concert with clinicians and scientists to design and implement novel therapies for otherwise devastating and untreatable genetic disorders in real time.
Our Mission
01
Develop therapeutics for patients with repeat expansion disorders
02
Define how nucleotide repeats function normally and contribute to human disease
03
Understand how RNA biology and translational regulation contributes to neuronal plasticity and dysfunction
04
Support the growth of future scientific leaders while having fun doing cutting-edge research
University Affiliate Programs
Precision Health
Taubman Institute
Center for RNA Biomedicine
The Todd lab is a very active member of the UM Bioinitiative funded RNA center at Michigan that focuses on the roles or RNA in human disease and as a therapeutic tool. We regularly interface with other CRB labs and Peter serves on the executive committee.
Department of Biochemistry
https://medschool.umich.edu/departments/biological-chemistry