Research Directions
We explore various aspects of how astrocytes influence brain development and cognitive functions, providing valuable insights and data for the scientific community and humanity.
Astrocytes
Astrocytes are now known to be essential for many cognitive functions. Our research investigates how they contribute to the development and formation of cognition during brain maturation. To address these questions, we develop and apply astrocyte-specific optogenetic and chemogenetic tools to dissect their specialized functions during development. We examine these roles across developmental and adult stages, and at multiple levels of analysis, from molecular and cellular mechanisms to circuits and behavior, with the ultimate goal of achieving a deeper understanding of brain function.
Neurodevelopmental disorders
We aim to elucidate how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, juvenile seizures, metabolic diseases, and microcephaly. While much of the field has traditionally taken a neurocentric perspective, our research approaches these disorders from the vantage point of astrocytes. By adopting this alternative framework, we seek to uncover disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets through fundamental investigations of astrocyte biology.
Maternal care and attachment
Our research investigates how maternal care and attachment affect astrocytic function, and how these changes contribute to brain development and cognition. Maternal influence is broad and powerful. During early development, mothers provide nutrition, sensory stimulation, and environmental cues that shape neural maturation. Weaning, food availability, and the quality of maternal care act as key signals to the developing brain. We study how these maternal behaviors shape astrocyte biology and, in turn, influence circuits and cognition.
Collaborations
We are highly open to collaboration and actively pursue joint research to advance understanding of astrocyte physiology and brain development. Our group works in partnership with institutions such as the Korea Brain Research Institute, Kyunghee University, and Eulji University, and we maintain active collaborations within the Institute for Basic Science. Through these collaborations, we are committed to driving innovative and fundamental research on the brain and cognition. We look forward to building many more collaborations and to enjoying the process of discovery together.