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Ornit Chiba-Falek

Professor in Neurology
Neurology, Translational Brain Sciences
Duke Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710
311 Research Drive, Bryan Research Building, Room 201A, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Functional genomics
Non-coding regulatory variants in the human genome
Genetics of complex neurological diseases

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in Neurology · 2025 - Present Neurology, Translational Brain Sciences, Neurology
Division Chief, Translational Brain Sciences in the Department of Neurology · 2019 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in Pathology · 2020 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2018 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

Recent Publications


APOE-Targeted Therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease.

Journal Article J Neurosci · November 12, 2025 Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is the major lipid transport protein in the brain. Produced primarily by astrocytes and microglia, it delivers cholesterol and other lipids for membrane repair, synaptic maintenance, and immune regulation. Through interactions with ... Full text Link to item Cite

Microglial States Are Susceptible to Senescence and Cholesterol Dysregulation in Alzheimer's Disease.

Journal Article Aging Cell · October 2025 Cellular senescence is a major contributor to aging-related degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), but much less is known about the key cell types and pathways driving senescence mechanisms in the brain. We hypothesized that dysregulate ... Full text Link to item Cite

Trends and challenges of AAV-delivered gene editing therapeutics for CNS disorders: Implications for neurodegenerative disease.

Journal Article Mol Ther Nucleic Acids · September 9, 2025 Recent advances in gene-editing technologies offer new opportunities for drug development to treat unmet medical needs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders including neurogenerative diseases of the aging brain. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a pr ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke Creating ADRD Researchers for the Next Generation - Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Program (CARiNG-StARR)"

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2026

Untangling the diversity in the genetic architecture of late-onset Alzheimer's disease using single cell multi-omics

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2026

Sex-dependent genetic landscape of late-onset Alzheimer's disease

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Alzheimer's Association · 2022 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Hebrew University (Israel) · 1999 Ph.D.