Catherine Choi, Ph.D.

Catherine applies her research background in molecular neuroscience to assist clients in patent prosecution.

For dissertation research at Tufts University, Catherine analyzed the subunit composition and interacting proteins of synaptic and extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA_ARs), which are membrane proteins that mediate inhibitory signaling in the brain. Using biochemical, molecular biology, imaging, and proteomic approaches, she discovered a novel mechanism involved in the assembly and trafficking of GABA_ARs. This mechanism may be modulated for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders with impaired inhibition.

Prior to graduate school, Catherine worked as a technical research assistant at McLean Hospital, where she employed molecular biology and rodent behavioral assays to examine the region- and cell type-specific role of neuronal inhibition in the modulation of stress susceptibility.

Catherine has co-authored original research articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, Neuropsychopharmacology, Communications Biology, and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.