Research themes
- Role of epigenetics in brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders
- Molecular mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and cell fate commitment
- Drug repurposing for neurological disorders and Rett Syndrome
Keywords
- DNA methylation
- Epigenetics
- Gene regulation
- MeCP2 isoforms
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Rett Syndrome
- Stem cell differentiation
- Stem cells
- Transcriptional control
Research affiliations
Research groups
Associate editor, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Associate editor, Frontiers in Genetics
Member, Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN)
Member, conference committee, Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences
Member, editorial board, Diseases - Rare Syndromes
Member, editorial board, Neural Plasticity
Member, editorial board, Neuroglia
Member, editorial board, Scientific Reports
Member, International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
Member, Manitoba Rett Syndrome Association (MRSA)
Member, membership and diversity committee, Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences
Member, nomination committee, Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences
Member, Ontario Rett Syndrome Association (ORSA)
Member, Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
Research summary
Dr. Mojgan Rastegar's research program is dedicated to study the genetic networks and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that control brain development and function. A clear focus is on DNA methylation and the DNA methyl binding protein MeCP2.
Her laboratory applies molecular and stem cell biology techniques along with gene therapy strategies to investigate the underlying pathobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Rett Syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
The outcome of her studies will help design novel therapeutic strategies in the future for these diseases that currently have no cure.
Dr. Mojgan Rastegar's research program has been continuously supported by provincial, national and international funding since she joined the University of Manitoba in 2009.