Mark Zylka

Mark Zylka serves as the W.R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He directs a research laboratory focused on neurodevelopmental disorders and pain mechanisms, with affiliations at the UNC Neuroscience Center and support from multiple NIH institutes.

His research spans autism etiology, Angelman syndrome, chronic pain pathways, and environmental neurotoxicology. The lab employs CRISPR/Cas gene editing, AAV vectors, single-cell RNA-seq, and behavioral analysis to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders and pain sensation. Recent work emphasizes environmental chemical impacts on neurodevelopment and gene therapy approaches for autism-related conditions.

Publications from 2023-2025 reveal strong trends in CRISPR-based therapeutics for Angelman syndrome, environmental chemical screening for neurodevelopmental risks, and computational pain assessment tools. Key interdisciplinary fields include neurogenetics, molecular toxicology, and translational neuroscience with emphasis on Wnt signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation.

Scientific Awards:

• Rita Allen Foundation Award
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship
• Searles Scholars Program
• Whitehall Foundation Grant
• Ester A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund Award
• Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant

Laboratory funding demonstrates exceptional grant acquisition across federal and private sources. Major support comes from NIH/NIEHS, NIH/NIMH, NIH/NINDS, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Autism Speaks, and Simons Foundation. The lab maintains active collaborations through the UNC Neuroscience Center and NC TraCS institute, with recent focus on developing PainFace software for standardized pain assessment and CRISPR-based therapies for neurogenetic disorders.