Welcome to the Mayoral lab!

We are cellular neuroscientists in the Department of Neuroscience and Carney Institute for Brain Science at Brown University who are passionate about understanding how the different cells within our brains interact and guide and support each other to produce a proper functioning nervous system.

We are especially interested in examining the interactions of oligodendrocytes, a type of glial cell that makes myelin, the fatty insulation wrapped around neuronal axons that allows for the fast conduction of electrical impulses across our nervous system.  How does this wrapping occur? What is the end result for the neuron being wrapped and for the oligodendrocyte? What other cells are involved and what roles do they play?

To address these questions we primarily use genetic mouse models and cellular/molecular approaches using techniques such as immunohistochemistry, fluorescence imaging, classic biochemical methods, and next generation sequencing to study these cells and their interactions in vivo and in vitro. We believe this line of research will uncover a deeper understanding of cellular interactions that will completely change the way we think about how our brains work!