Computational biology for translational neuroimmunology
Using a combination of machine learning and computational modeling approaches, the DiStasio Lab aims to better understand neurologic diseases, their antecedents, and their effects on the neuronal circuits that underpin human cognition. We target specific pathologic findings in conditions like neurodegeneration, autoimmune disease, and cancer, focusing on neuro-immune interactions. We apply advanced histologic, image analysis, and genomic techniques to discover the biological processes disrupted in the tissue microenvironment around lesions in human brain tissue. Then, we use computational models to explore cell signaling and regulatory pathways that represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention, aiming to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect our cognitive function.