In order to understand complexity of the central nervous system (CNS) as well as the genetic bases of nervous system disorders in humans it is necessary to detect and quantify the molecular changes that distinguish our brain from that our ancestors. The key differences may be at many levels of molecular organization, various stages of development, and at various points in the evolutionary history of life. To our benefit, data from these numerous levels of granularity and time are increasingly available either via experimental or computational means. If combined, these data should prove tremendously powerful for addressing fundamental questions about human cognition and neurological disease. The Computational Biology Lab was formed to take the lead in addressing these challenges, in particular by meeting the following chief aims:

(1) To provide a full comprehension of the molecular components essential to the development of the central nervous system in humans, and (2) To provide a complete description of these components within the context of human neurological disease and disorder.

Our principal focus in on understanding the genetic component of Autism by leveraging the tools of systems biology and integrative genomics. Progress on this front has been integrated into a web driven resource for the global community of autism researchers, Autworks.