The Oligodendroglial Interactions Group (OIG) investigates how oligodendroglia interact with other neural cell types during neurodevelopment and as mediators of lifelong neuroplasticity. Our research focuses on understanding the factors that govern the timing and specificity of axonal myelination, testing the hypothesis that aberrations in these processes contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Through integrated developmental, molecular, and systems-level approaches, we seek to elucidate the reciprocal intercellular signaling mechanisms by which oligodendroglia and neurons orchestrate circuit maturation and adaptive remodeling.

Why study oligodendroglia?

Neuropsychiatric disorders represent a leading cause of morbidity and disability in the United States, yet transformative therapeutic interventions remain elusive. While traditional explanatory frameworks have been neuron-centric, converging evidence now positions glial populations, particularly oligodendrocytes and their precursor cells (OPCs), as dynamic regulators of neural development, plasticity, and circuit function.

Oligodendrocytes actively modulate axonal conduction velocity, synchronize neural firing patterns, organize nodes of Ranvier, and provide critical metabolic support. Concurrently, OPCs are increasingly recognized as signaling-competent cells that influence synaptic remodeling and circuit refinement. Dysregulation of oligodendroglial lineage dynamics and myelin integrity has been increasingly implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder.

Advancing treatment strategies requires integrative, mechanistic insight spanning molecular, cellular, and systems levels of analysis - an approach that lies at the core of our research program and underscores both its scientific significance and translational potential.

Experimental Approaches

Our research program employs a multidisciplinary toolkit that spans molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience. This integrated experimental framework enables us to bridge molecular mechanisms with circuit function and behavior.

Molecular and Cellular Analysis

• Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing
• Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization (ISH)
• Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for cell population isolation
• Primary neural cell culture

Imaging and Structural Analysis

• Confocal and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM)
• Expansion microscopy for nanoscale resolution
• Electron microscopy for ultrastructural analysis

In Vivo Manipulation and Tracing

• Genetic fate-mapping using transgenic mouse models
• Viral vector-mediated labeling and manipulation
• Stereotaxic surgery for targeted circuit interventions

Electrophysiology, Behavioral and Systems-Level Assessment

• Patch-clamp electrophysiology
• Environmental challenge paradigms
• Behavioral assays for social, cognitive, and affective phenotypes