Garrett A. Kaas, Ph.D.

Garrett A. Kaas, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor

garrett.kaas@vanderbilt.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Education and Experience
B.S. Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1999-2003)
Ph.D. Genetics, University of Iowa (2004-2010)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Neuroepigenetics, UAB (2011-2014)
Instructor and UAB Undergraduate Neuroscience Program Associate (2014-2016)

Projects
Currently my work in the Sweatt lab revolves around two main projects. The first 
involves the investigation of two recently discovered Tet1 isoforms (Zhang et al. 
2016) and their roles in regulating the neuronal epigenome. Using a wide-variety of 
approaches, including genetic, epigenetic, electrophysiological and NGS 
methodologies, we hope to gain a better understanding of their functions within 
the mammalian nervous system.

My other focus lies in the generation and optimization of genetic tools designed to 
manipulate DNA methylation patterns, both genome-wide and at the level of 
individual loci.  As another layer of specificity, these tools are being developed to 
allow to experimenter both temporospatial and cell type-specific control over the 
introduction or removal of these epigenetic marks. With these tools, we hope to 
explore the dynamic nature, specificity and function of both 5-methylcytosine and 
its oxidized derivatives, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine and 5-
carboxylcytosine, in the CNS.

Teaching
Aside from my involvement with these projects, I am also keenly interested in the 
mentoring and teaching of undergraduates, both at the bench and in the classroom. 
I have extensive teaching experience stretching back to graduate school and am 
fluent in the design of science courses that can engage and challenge students.
As we move forward, I am continuing these practices in a concerted effort to give 
young people the opportunity to get involved in science.

P0 Primary Hippocampal mouse neurons DIV10