Welcome to the Brent Lab

The Brent lab studies the causes and consequences of non-genetic variation in cell signaling and downstream phenotype. Our current work studies systems level mechanisms by which evolved and synthetic S. cerevisiae signaling systems can limit the effects of this variability. We are building on this knowledge to construct chemically tunable, variation suppressed controllers of gene expression in yeast and in higher eukaryotes. By developing and distributing such "expression clamped" controllers to researchers worldwide, we hope to speed biological discovery by enabling investigators to tightly regulate and study incompletely penetrant phenotypes and threshold phenotypes affected by small differences in protein dosage. 

We have recently begun an applied project that uses deep neural networks that help augmented reality systems provide guidance for researchers performing lab procedures.

These projects support the lab mission of working to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery over the course of the 21st century. To this end, lab members are encouraged to consider the anthropology of the contemporary, here including the regulatory, economic, political and social frameworks within which the lab's research functions, and the ways that increases in biological knowledge and capability are impacting human affairs.  

Dr. Brent is a Professor of Basic Sciences and an Adjunct Professor of Public Health Sciences. He holds affiliate appointments in the Department of Genome Sciences and Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington.

We are currently in search of one or more work study students from Computer Science, Bio-Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related fields of study to help develop supporting software and content to enable Augmented Reality guidance for lab procedures. For more information, see description here