Aggregation and spreading of toxic α-Synuclein (αS) are hallmarks of several neurodegenerative diseases associated with cognitive impairment, which exhibit distinct strains underlying the heterogeneity of α- synucleinopathies. We are using our long-term intravital single cell tracking system to characterize the response of brain cells in live mice to dementia-related αS strains. To monitor the endogenous aggregation process, we are developing a nanobody-based chemogenetic fluorescent probe with the potential to be used as clinical diagnostic tools. 

Restorative therapy for stroke with neural cell transplantation is promising but suffers from poor functional integration. We address this issue by transplanting homotopic graft into the highly plastic peri-infarct brain region that allows for the integration of new cells. Two-photon microscopy with state-of-the-art imaging modules will be used to track the fate, function and activity of transplanted neural cells.

NIH funded (NINDS)

The goal is to develop a smart intravital multiphoton imaging method for long-term tracking of neural stem cells for stroke treatment and to advance the understanding about the graft-host interactions in the infarcted brain dynamically at the cellular and molecular level for enhancing the efficacy of neural stem cell therapy of stroke.

Research and clinical applications that require gene and cell delivery, including studies and emerging treatments of neurological conditions depend on microinjection technologies. This proposal will examine the efficacy of an innovative 3D microprinting-enabled technology to enhance fundamental performance metrics underlying both gene and cell delivery into brain tissue and eliminate user pain points.