Our research is focused on applying comprehensive molecular and genetic approaches to study the pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease (HD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as exploring the molecular genetics and circuitry of the basal ganglia (BG), a brain region targeted in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. The overarching approach of our lab is to develop genetic mouse models of these diseases, or create mice that carry mutations in the genes that are relevant to BG biology, and use an array of technologies to analyze the phenotypes of these models at multiple levels: From genes (molecular biology, transcription profiling, proteomics), cells (cell culture, imaging, pathology), neuronal circuitry (electrophysiology, conditional genetics), and ultimately behavior. Our scientific approach elucidates fundamental mechanisms underlying the normal function of the basal ganglia and how dysfunction of this critical circuit can lead to HD and PD, as well as other neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.