Albert Lai MD, PhD

Dr. Lai received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Harvard College. He then complete training MD/ PhD at University of California at San Diego. He then completed residency in Neurology at UCLA and fellowship training in Neuro-oncology at UCLA. He was appointed to the UCLA faculty in 2005 within the Department of Neurology. He is a clinician/scientist interested in improving treatments for malignant gliomas.

Dr. Lai's research interest is in understanding the role of Connexin43, the primary astrocytic gap junction, in the growth and migration of glioma cells. These studies are being conducted in cell culture using a model system of overexpression of wild-type and mutant Connexin 43 constructs in rat C6 glioma cells. He is also beginning studies examining the role of promoter methylation of MGMT and response to temozolomide. These studies involve analysis of methylation of genomic DNA isolated from human tissue collected during glioblastoma resection. These initial studies will form the basis for broader inquiry regarding the role of epigenetic alterations on glioblastoma initiation and progression.