Research
Astrocyte development and the roles of astrocytes in diseases
Appointments
- Assistant Professor
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Biography
Astrocytes constitute at least a third of all cells in human brains. Long thought to be passive support cells, astrocytes are recently found to be critical for the development and function of the central nervous system. Accumulating evidence show that astrocytes are involved in almost every type of neurological and psychiatric disorder.
The cellular and molecular mechanisms that control astrocyte development as well as dysfunction of astrocytes in neurological and psychiatric disorders remains poorly understood.
We combine cell culture and mouse genetic approaches to study the following questions:
- What signals regulate astrocyte maturation?
- How is astrocyte differentiation regulated?
- Can we improve treatment of glioblastoma by studying astrocyte development?
- Are astrocytes involved in intellectual disability and autism?
Publications
- Bai, M, Wu, Y, Zhang, Y, Zhang, H, Wang, P, Li, S et al.. METTL3-mediated GLUD1 m6A Modification Promotes Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells Via the Glutamate/α-KG Metabolic Axis. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2026;26 (1):147-161. . PubMed PMID:41764762 .
- Cai, WC, Cai, XB, Liang, YZ, Cao, WS, Zhang, ZN, Shao, WZ et al.. Alterations in Ankle Eversion-to-Inversion Muscle Strength and Postural Control in Individuals with Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2026;26 (1):65-75. . PubMed PMID:41764754 .
- Zhang, Z, Bahabayi, A, Gao, Y, Liu, D, Hasimu, A, Zhang, Y et al.. T cells co-expressing high levels of CD29 and CD99 show increased cytotoxic potential and are upregulated in Sjögren's disease. J Immunol. 2026;215 (2):. doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf370. PubMed PMID:41764742 .
- Tao, R, Guo, Y, Zhang, Y, Li, W, Yang, P, Zhou, D et al.. A comprehensive single-cell analysis reveals the impact of laser interstitial thermal therapy on the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma. J Immunol. 2026;215 (2):. doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf327. PubMed PMID:41764740 .
- Zhang, Y, Chakma, C, Kirn, A, Chisanga, D, Polmear, J, Zaini, A et al.. MLL1 directs gut-associated antibody responses to helminth and bacterial infections. J Immunol. 2026;215 (2):. doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf358. PubMed PMID:41764736 .