Timothy M. Gomez, PhD

Education
BA 1988, Psychobiology, University of California-Santa Cruz
PhD 1995, Neuroscience, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Post-doctoral fellow 1995-2000, Developmental Neurobiology, University of California-San Diego

Research Interests

The long-term objective of Dr. Gomez’s research is to better understand the intracellular signals and effector mechanisms that control the extension and guidance of axons during development.  Neural networks are built during development and regenerate after injury due to the activity of nerve growth cones.  Growth cones are the motile tips to growing axons, which detect, integrate and respond to soluble and substratum-associated guidance molecules.  Mutations in genes involved in the detection and transduction of axon guidance information into directed neurite outgrowth are responsible for many deficits in cognitive function, including various forms of autism, mental retardation and dyslexia. By studying the cellular, physiological and molecular mechanisms that govern normal axon outgrowth and guidance, studies conducted in the Gomez laboratory hope to identify potential sites of therapeutic intervention.  In one ongoing collaborative study with the Gamm laboratory, researchers in Dr. Gomez’s lab are studying the development of human photoreceptors (PRs) that are generated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). PRs are the primary visual sensory cell and thus their loss through disease or damage causes irreversible blindness. PR transplantation is one therapeutic option being explored, but little is understood about the mechanisms by which PR axons form in humans and higher mammals. We are examining the cellular and molecular basis of PR axon extension both in vitro and within retinal organoids. Improving our understanding of how human PR axons normally develop processes will ultimately advise transplant therapies.

Gomez Lab

Publications
PubMed Listing of Publications