Grill Lab

The Grill Lab’s overarching interest is in using in vivo proteomic and genetic approaches to understand how signaling influences development and function of the nervous system.

Progress on these research directions is essential to understanding how the nervous system is built and modulated. Ultimately, we strive to identify new molecular targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease and opioid addiction/withdrawal.

Our work is made possible in part by a generous gift in honor of Timothy Jackson.

Explore Our Research

Proteomic and Genetic Insight Into Axon Termination, Synapse Maintenance and Autophagy

We are leading efforts to understand a conserved signaling network required for both axon termination and synapse maintenance.

Using Forward Genetics to Identify Regulators of Opioid Sensitivity and Tolerance

We have spent the past decade pioneering an innovative new line of investigation that aims to understand how u-opioid receptor (MOR) signaling, sensitivity and tolerance are regulated.

Regulation of Inhibitory GABA Neuron Function

Our interest in HUWE1 is driven on two levels. 1) Better understanding how ubiquitin ligase activity shapes inhibitory GABA neuron function. 2) Strong evidence that changes that reduce or increase HUWE1 function result in intellectual disability.

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Neural Development and Neurodegeneration

Applying in vivo proteomics and genetic approaches to study pathways in nervous system development and neurodegenerative disease – Brock Grill

Opioid Sensitivity and Tolerance

Using a scalable C. elegans behavioral screening platform to identify druggable candidates for modulating μ-opioid receptor sensitivity and tolerance – Brock Grill

Meet Our Team

Brock Grill, PhD

Dr. Brock Grill's overarching interest is understanding how signaling influences development and function of the nervous system. His team's major research directions include: 1) Using in vivo proteomics to decipher how ubiquitin ligase activity and intracellular signaling hubs affect axon termination, synapse maintenance and neuron function. 2) Using engineered forward genetic approaches to interrogate how u-opioid receptor sensitivity and tolerance are regulated.

Ultimately, Dr. Grill's lab aims to identify new molecular targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease, and opioid addiction/withdrawal.

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