At the Y lab, we are peacetime warriors combating devastating human diseases by expanding the endless frontier of science.
Research Mission
Our lab aims to advance precision medicine to treat genetic brain disorders. One main focus of the lab is disorders related to SCN2A genetic variants, recognized as a leading monogenic cause of autism and epilepsy. SCN2A encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.2, mediating neuronal excitability in the brain. We use transgenic rodents and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived platforms for disease modeling and unveiling disease mechanisms. We also develop next-generation therapeutics, including CRISPR Prime Editing, to tackle these disorders — with the ultimate goal of translating our discoveries into lasting real-world impact: to textbooks, to companies, and to patients.
Training Mission
Our lab aims to train future leaders in science and society with critical and hypothesis-driven thinking, teamwork, leadership spirit, and the desire and ability to get things done to make a dent in the universe.
Acknowledgement
We thank patient families, the FamilieSCN2A Foundation, philanthropic donors, and NIH for supporting our work. We will fight until a magical future arrives.
Vincent van Gogh lived with epilepsy and likely fell on the autism spectrum. Behind the swirling tempest of the mind lies profound humanity. Rooted in biophysics, reaching for genetic cures, we fight to calm the neural storms — and reclaim every unique life.
Yang lab short video:
"we will fight for you"
Yang Lab Core values
Impact
rigor
passion
Urgency
We strive to conduct research that will push the field forward and change lives to shape a better future.
We want our work to stand the test of time, and the science and technology we forge to be trusted, used, and built upon.
We open our eyes every day excited and curious to solve mysteries, push boundaries, and make the impossible possible.
We know patients are suffering now, and families are desperately waiting for cures. There is no time to waste.
innovative
inclusive
collaborative
proactive
We fearlessly advance cutting-edge technologies to perform transformative research that shifts scientific paradigms.
We unite minds with distinct strengths. Breakthroughs emerge when we challenge and elevate one another.
We each bring unique expertise, but none of us can do it alone. We build strong partnerships to achieve great outcomes.
We are driven to deliver and refuse to wait. Embracing an underdog mentality, we challenge dogma and turn bold ideas into reality.
We look for hungry postdocs, graduate students, and technicians who dream big and work hard. Please contact Dr. Yang Yang (yangyang@purdue.edu) for opportunities.
The human brain is a vast internal ocean where every neural current must find its perfect equilibrium. Our lab's translational effort: Aequovix Bio (aequo: of tides and balance; vix: of life and restoration) resolves this biological equation through precision genetic interventions, transforming neurological turbulence into enduring vitality (details forthcoming).