My research focuses on mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and diseases related to the dysfunctional development using the zebrafish model. Currently, I am applying cellular, molecular, and behavioral strategies to study the hypoxia effects on the brain connectivity (e.g., axon pathfinding and synaptic connectivity) and diseases of development, particularly prematurity and cerebral palsy.
I am also teaching General Biology Lecture (BIOL 141), Genetics Lecture (BIOL 260), Neuroscience Research Literature Seminar (NEUR 111), and Neuroscience Research and Methods (NEURO 330).
A fast expanding and extremely valuable model system in biomedical research
- Easy maintenance with low-cost
- High reproduction rates
- Rapid development
- Powerful genetic and molecular tool availability
Hypoxia injury to the development of CNS connectivity and Neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Axon pathfinding
- Synaptic connectivity
- Hypoxic injury to the developing human brain from prematurity by an inadequate supply of oxygen to the nervous system increases the risk of permanent behavioral and intellectual deficits (Bass et al., 2004; Barrett et al., 2007). However, the precise mechanisms by which hypoxia disrupts brain connectivity in the developing vertebrate brain are still unknown.
• Jong-Hyun Son, T.J. Stevenson, M.D. Bowles, E.A. Scholl, J.L. Bonkowsky (2020) Dopaminergic Co-Regulation of Locomotor Development and Motor Neuron Synaptogenesis is uncoupled by Hypoxia in Zebrafish, eNEURO. 7(1)
• Jong-Hyun Son, J.L. Bonkowsky (2018) Hypoxia and connectivity in the developing vertebrate nervous system. Dis Model Mech. pii: dmm037127. doi: 10.1242/dmm.037127. Review.
• Jong-Hyun Son, Matthew D. Keefe, T. Stevenson, J. Barrios, S. Anjewierden, J. Newton, A. Douglass, J.L. Bonkowsky (2016) Transgenic FingRs for live mapping of synaptic dynamics in genetically-defined neurons. Scientific reports 6, 18734, doi:10.1038/srep18734(2016)
Charles Dominick – 2020 Presidential Summer Research Fellowship ($3,500)
Charles Dominick – 2019/2020 Neuroscience Faculty Student Research Initiative Award ($3,000)
Fahad Ashraf - 2019 Steven Sawyer Memorial Research Award, Honor’s project ($3,500)