Geoffrey G. Murphy, PhD
Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Research Professor, Michigan Neurosciences Institute (MNI)
734-936-8926
Dr. Murphy currently holds a dual appointment at the University of Michigan Medical School. He holds a tenured Instructional track appointment in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and a Research track appointment in the Michigan Neuroscience Institute.
His group makes and uses genetically engineered mice which serve as one of their main research platforms. In addition, his group utilizes in vitro neuronal cultures prepared from rodents as well as neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). His team uses a multidisciplinary approach that combines aspects of modern molecular biology, behavioral neuroscience, in vitro/ex vivo electrophysiology and calcium imaging. This approach has allowed the group to address questions at the basic neuroscience level as well as questions that are more translational in nature with a specific focus on neurological and psychiatric disease states. Areas of interest include the neurobiology of normal cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease, the molecular substrates of epilepsy as well as the relationship between neurodevelopment, calcium signaling and mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Their work has been funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Mental Health, the Department of Defense as well as private foundations.