Daniela Kaufer

Daniela Kaufer holds the title of Professor and serves as the Associate Dean and Class of 1943 Memorial Chair at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying brain plasticity and deterioration in response to stress, neurological insults, and aging. Her lab investigates hormonal regulation of neurogenesis, blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, and their roles in epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Key projects include studying stress-induced changes in cholinergic signaling, BBB compromise's effects on neural pathology, and myelination dynamics in mood disorders.

Research Interests:

• Hormonal regulation of adult neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis
• BBB dysfunction's role in epilepsy, aging, and neurodegeneration
• Predicting individual stress susceptibility/resilience
• Developmental windows of vulnerability to stress
• TBI-induced secondary pathologies (e.g., post-traumatic epilepsy)

Lab Activities:

The Kaufer Lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, including molecular biology, electrophysiology, imaging, and high-throughput methods. Collaborations with institutions like the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory extend research into human aging populations and clinical translation. The lab's work emphasizes translational potential, with a focus on therapeutic targets like TGFβ inhibition.

Grants & Advising:

Though specific grants aren't listed, the lab's multifaceted projects suggest extensive funding for studies on BBB dysfunction, stress biology, and neurological disorders. Advising opportunities exist for students and researchers through contact at chphum@berkeley.edu.

Labs/Teams:

Primary lab: Kaufer Lab at UC Berkeley's Li Ka Shing Center (1951 Oxford St, Berkeley). Collaborations include the Jagust Lab (Alzheimer's studies) and animal model partnerships for TBI research.