Updates
Latest News
Welcome Racquel Driedger — SPUR Student (Summer 2026)
We are excited to welcome Racquel Driedger, who is joining the lab as a SPUR student for Summer 2026. Welcome to the Loukil Lab and Sanford Research!
2025 OCNDS Connect + Collaborate Conference — Denver, Colorado
Dr. Abdelhalim Loukil, Dr. Karama Hamdi, and Grace Hoffman proudly represented the Loukil Lab at the 2025 OCNDS Connect + Collaborate Conference in Denver, Colorado, hosted by the CSNK2A1 Foundation. Dr. Loukil was an invited speaker, delivering a talk titled "Decoding primary cilia dysfunction in OCNDS." Dr. Karama Hamdi and Grace Hoffman showcased their research through poster presentations. The conference brought together researchers, families, and individuals living with Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome (OCNDS) from around the world.
New paper published in the Journal of Neuroscience
Our new paper "Identification of new ciliary signaling pathways in the brain and insights into neurological disorders" by Loukil et al. has been published in the Journal of Neuroscience. In this study, we adapted the in vivo BioID (iBioID) system to target neuronal primary cilia, revealing a rich and dynamic network of ciliary signaling proteins in the mature brain. This work uncovers previously unknown connections between cilia and key pathways like Eph/Ephrin and GABA signaling, offering fresh insights into how ciliary dysfunction may contribute to neurological disorders. Huge thanks to Sarah Goetz and Scott Soderling at Duke University for their guidance on the iBioID system, and to Karama Hamdi and Elizabeth Menzel at Sanford Research Institute for performing the final experiments.
Dr. Kirk Mykytyn visits Sanford Research Institute
We were thrilled to host Dr. Kirk Mykytyn, Associate Professor at Ohio State University, for a special seminar at the Sanford Research Institute. Dr. Mykytyn gave an amazing talk on neuronal primary cilia, sparking a dynamic and thought-provoking discussion on how these tiny organelles influence brain function and their connection to neurological disorders. His visit brought fresh insights and inspired new ideas across the lab.
Welcome Alondra Ocasio — SPUR Student (Summer 2025)
We are excited to welcome Alondra Ocasio, who is joining the lab as a SPUR student for Summer 2025. Welcome to the Loukil Lab and Sanford Research!
PROMISE Lab Biomedical Research Investigation Day
Dr. Abdelhalim Loukil, Elizabeth Menzel, and Grace Hoffman talked about embryonic development to high school students hosted by the PROMISE Lab for Biomedical Research Investigation Day. Ellie and Grace led students through interactive activities to help them visualize and understand the intricate processes involved. A big thank you to Ellie and Grace for their incredible efforts in making this event a success!
Grace Hoffman promoted to Research Specialist
Grace has been promoted to the position of Research Specialist in the Loukil Lab. We are thrilled to celebrate this fantastic achievement! Keep up the amazing work, Grace!
Welcome Grace, Smilla, and Blen!
We are excited to introduce Grace, Smilla, and Blen, who are starting their research journey with us! Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives will surely spark innovative ideas and discoveries.
Pilot research grant from the Million Dollar Bike Ride / CSNK2A1 Foundation
We are proud to announce that we have received a pilot research grant through the Million Dollar Bike Ride, in collaboration with the CSNK2A1 Foundation! This support will drive our research into Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome (OCNDS), a rare condition caused by mutations in the CSNK2A1 gene. Our lab is investigating how disruptions in primary cilia contribute to brain development deficits in OCNDS. Huge thanks to the Orphan Disease Center, the CSNK2A1 Foundation, and the entire OCNDS community for your trust and support!
Quinn and Grace present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium (EPSCoR)
Quinn Tegenkamp and Grace Hoffman presented their research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium (EPSCoR) in Sioux Falls, SD. All team members attended the conference and supported our junior researchers.
Welcome our 2024 SPUR students — Grace Hoffman and Quinn Tegenkamp
We welcome our 2024 SPUR students, Grace Hoffman and Quinn Tegenkamp, to the Loukil Lab!
FASEB Biology of Cilia and Flagella Conference — St. Paul, Minnesota
Halim, Karama, and Ellie attended the FASEB Science Research Conference, Biology of Cilia and Flagella, May 12–16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ellie and Karama presented terrific posters. The team had a lot of fun and extensive discussions. We also discovered Ellie the singer!
BioID of neuronal cilia preprint posted on bioRxiv
Our BioID of neuronal cilia carried out in the mouse brain is out on bioRxiv. We define the first in vivo neuronal ciliary network and identify exciting novel connections to neurological disorders. We provide the scientific community with a wealth of information about neural signaling molecules enriched in neuronal cilia. Loukil, A., E. Ebright, A. Uezu, Y. Gao, S.H. Soderling, and S.C. Goetz. BioRxiv, 2023.
ASCB 2023 — Boston, Massachusetts
Halim and Ellie attended the ASCB 2023 Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Ellie presented her research in the poster session "Ciliary Signaling and Ciliopathies." The Loukil Lab also had a joint dinner with the Roux Lab — a great Sanford Research gathering!
Welcome Arooba and AJ!
Welcome to Arooba and AJ, who joined our team to do exciting research!
Our lab website is finally online!
Our lab website is finally online!
Radio interview on SDPB — In the Moment
Halim gave a radio interview about the future lab work and the R35 NIH/NIGMS grant. The interview aired on "In the Moment" on SDPB Radio.
Trina presents at the 2023 Summer Research Symposium, Sanford Research
Trina presented a poster at the 2023 Summer Research Symposium at Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD.
The Loukil Lab is awarded an R35 grant — officially funded by NIGMS/NIH
Exciting news! The Loukil Lab has been awarded an R35 and is officially funded by NIGMS/NIH.
Trina presents at the Undergraduate Research Symposium (EPSCoR)
Trina presented a poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium (EPSCoR) in Sioux Falls, SD. Karama and Ellie stopped by to support her!
Welcome our first SPUR student, Trina Tounjian!
We welcome our first SPUR student, Trina Tounjian, to the Loukil Lab!
Halim presents at the 13th Annual Great Plains Rare Disease Summit
Halim gave an oral presentation at the 13th Annual Great Plains Rare Disease Summit at Sanford Research, SD.
Ellie presents a poster at the 13th Annual Great Plains Rare Disease Summit
Ellie presented a poster at the 13th Annual Great Plains Rare Disease Summit at Sanford Research, SD. Karama and Halim stopped by to support her!
Karama Hamdi joins the team as a Postdoctoral Fellow
Karama Hamdi joins the team as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Welcome Karama!
Ellie Menzel joins the lab as a Research Specialist
Ellie Menzel joins the lab as a Research Specialist. Welcome Ellie!
The Loukil Lab is open for business
The Loukil Lab is open for business at Sanford Research!
