Laboratory of Glial Biology and Omics Technologies

GliaOmics Lab studies glial cells in the central nervous system using state-of-the-art omics technologies.

At the GliaOmics Lab, we explore the fundamental roles of glial cells—astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes—in the health, disease, and injury responses of the central nervous system. Using cutting-edge omics technologies, we investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate glial function, diversity, and interactions. Our goal is to advance the understanding of neurological disorders and contribute to the development of novel glial-oriented therapeutic strategies.

Research Areas

  • Glial Cell Function & Heterogeneity – Investigating the roles of astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes in the physiological and pathological processes of the central nervous system.
  • Glia in Neurological Disorders – Understanding glial contributions to conditions such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Alexander disease, and spinal cord injury.
  • Single-Cell & Spatial Transcriptomics – Leveraging high-resolution omics techniques to map glial activity and communication networks.
  • Therapeutic Strategies – Identifying and targeting pathophysiological mechanisms of glial cells to develop next-generation therapeutics.

Key Research Projects

  • Mapping the Pathology of Ischemic Brain Injury – Characterizing glial responses and identifying therapeutic targets for stroke treatment using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.
  • Glial Cells as Therapeutic Targets – Modulating astrocyte-microglia communication, the complement system, and mTOR signaling in glial cells to modify disease progression.
  • Advanced Modeling of Neurological Disorders – Developing humanized organoid models for studying stroke and Alzheimer’s disease and exploring the potential of mRNA-based interventions as a therapeutic strategy.

Collaboration

We actively collaborate with academic and industry partners to advance glial biology research and omics-based discovery. Our laboratory maintains a close connection with the GeneCore Facility, which provides advanced single-cell and spatial transcriptomic services.