Benjamin Deneen, Ph.D.

Dr. Deneen’s laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating the development, diversity, and physiological roles of astrocytes in functioning brain circuits. The goal of this research program is to map region-specific transcriptional dependencies for astrocytes in the adult brain. These projects will explore regional roles for a cohort of astrocyte transcription factors in diverse brain circuits, while defining the epigenomic and proteomic mechanisms conferring these regional dependencies. Finally, this program will decipher whether and how these astrocytic transcriptional mechanisms are applicable to neurodegenerative disease.