Mark Dell'Acqua

Mark Dell'Acqua is a Professor and Vice Chairman in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, where he also serves as Director of the NeuroTechnology Center. His research focuses on cellular signal transduction mechanisms in neuronal synapses, with particular emphasis on cAMP and calcium second messenger pathways organized through A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) scaffold complexes.

Dr. Dell'Acqua's research interests span multiple critical areas of neuroscience and pharmacology:

• Organization of cAMP and calcium signaling pathways at postsynaptic specializations
• AKAP scaffold complexes anchoring PKA and calcineurin near glutamate receptors
• Mechanisms of synaptic regulation during long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD)
• Neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders including Down syndrome, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, and schizophrenia

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on AKAP-regulated signal transduction in synaptic plasticity, with particular attention to how these mechanisms are altered in neurological disorders. The research employs cutting-edge techniques including neurobehavioral testing, electrophysiology, and advanced fluorescence imaging methods (confocal, FRAP, FRET, and super-resolution microscopy).

Dr. Dell'Acqua maintains active collaborations through several affiliated programs including the Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Program, Colorado Clinical Translational Science Institute, Medical Scientist Training Program, Neuroscience Program, Pharmacology Program, NeuroTechnology Center, and Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.

His laboratory utilizes a variety of experimental approaches to analyze AKAP-regulated signal transduction in both in vitro and in vivo systems, with particular emphasis on understanding how synaptic plasticity mechanisms are altered in neurodevelopmental, mental health, and neurological disorders that impair cognitive function.