Dr. Diering’s research interests include understanding the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity with a particular interest in sleep. Sleep is an essential and evolutionarily conserved process that modifies synapses in the brain to support cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Using mouse models of human disease as well as primary cultured neurons, his lab is applying this work to understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and intellectual disability. The lab focuses on biochemistry, pharmacology, animal behavior and genetics.