Lei Cui, PhD

Lei is a postdoctoral researcher in the Pan Group at the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research. Lei received his PhD in Neuroscience under the doctoral program of "Molecular Physiology of the Brain" from University of Göttingen. During his graduate training under the mentorship of Dr. Oliver Schlüter, Lei utilized molecular replacement approach, using mouse genetics and/or viral-mediated gene transfer, to manipulate the molecular composition of single neurons in a spatial and temporal controlled manner. With this approach, he elucidated the role of neuromodulator (NA) in regulating voltage gated potassium channel activity in hippocampal neurons, modulating synaptic plasticity and therefore affecting memory and learning. Currently, Lei is using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and working on functional analysis of SCHEMA genes, with ultra-rare variants (URVs) conferring substantial risk for schizophrenia.