My ongoing research focus is to study the interplay between neuronal protein signaling and neuronal function and dysfunction in the central nervous system. To achieve this, we develop biosensors to visualize the activity of key protein signaling pathways. In combination with in vitro and in vivo two-photon imaging, we strive to unravel how vital genes and proteins shape normal brain development and function. We believe that basic understanding of signaling rules in the healthy brain is a critical first step. Then, we aim to uncover how pathogenic mutations or signaling dysfunction ultimately leads to detrimental neurological diseases such as autism, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration.