Wanner Research Lab

Signatures of brain injury.

Wanner Lab: Decoding Brain Trauma

Biomarkers unveil the hidden language of injury

The Wanner lab research aims to better understand injury processes after trauma to the brain or spinal cord. Our vision is to improve the translation of neurotrauma research into clinically relevant insights by connecting the pathophysiology of wounded brain cells with signatures from noninvasive tools like biomarkers. We conduct cytological and biochemical research to understand, monitor and treat traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions, which are on the rise, especially in youth, sports and in the elderly.

Early and precise evaluation is paramount for TBI patients to guide treatment and manage risk factors influencing outcomes. This can be achieved using biomarkers—fluid-circulating proteins released from the injured brain that are measured noninvasively. The Wanner lab has identified novel trauma-specific glial cell biomarkers, termed Astrocyte Injury-Defined (AID) biomarkers, which are associated with cellular damage and loss. Dr. Wanner’s research focuses on the relationship between signatures of these biomarkers and cellular neurotrauma processes, offering potential advancements in TBI diagnostics and patient care.

Learn More About Our Research

  • Human trauma model image analysis team: Jenny Richmond, Michelle Gong, Aaron Soghomonian, Ina Wanner, Chloe McMannChapman; Maddie Klee during office -pizza dinner in April, 2023.
  • Working in the Wanner lab at the bench running Westerns are Victoria Parrilli, lab manager and Rochelle Bitolas, Student Researcher in February 2019.
  • Russell Huie, Javier Allende Labastida, Adam Ferguson, Ina Wanner, Ray Koehler and Mark Burns of the TOP-NT Consortium having dinner at the Hardrock Café in Atlantat during the National Neurotrauma Symposium 2022.
  • Ina Wanner with presentation at the American Society for Neurochemistry Meeting in Kentucky, January 2023
  • Signatures of brain injury.
  • Jonathan Lopez, Hana Abdirahman, Victoria Parrilli, Andrew Kamali, Kunal Ranat, Salma Arredondo, Rochelle Bitolas, Linda Tajalli, Izzy Bonacorsi and Ina Wanner in front of the Gordon Neuroscience Research Building at the UCLA medical campus in 2019.
  • Translational Outcomes in Neurotrauma Consortium annual meeting in Austin in Austin, Texas
  • Group standing by table at Christmas Goose dinner.

Student Research

Requirement: EHS Laboratory Safety Fundamental Concepts

All you need is your enthusiasm and diligence and availability for 25 hours per week.
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