Leila Myrick discusses her research and the Laney Graduate School

Update: Since this video was recorded, Ms. Myric's research focus has changed slightly:

"My research is still on Fragile X Syndrome, but we are asking slightly different questions now."

"My work involves the study of novel mutations in the FMR1 gene and their role in the pathogenesis of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common hereditary cause of intellectual disability. Classically, trinucleotide repeat expansion within the 5'UTR of FMR1 mediates most cases of FXS, however point mutations within the FMR1 coding region have also been reported in some patients. Understanding how these point mutations alter FMRP function will give insight into the mechanisms of disease in these patients with non-traditional FMR1 mutations, as well as provide greater understanding of the normal functions for FMRP, a protein crucial to many forms of learning and memory."

Leila's advisor is Dr. Stephen Warren, Chair of the Emory School of Medicine Department of Human Genetics.