Dr. Jan’s research primarily focuses on dendrite development. In this project, his group aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control dendritic development, degeneration, and regeneration that are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Jan’s group utilizes Drosophila larval dendritic arborization (da) neurons, a group of sensory neurons, as a model system. This project will focus on three main areas: (1) identify the tiling signal in da neurons that prevents the overlapping of dendrites using cell surface proximity labeling, (2) study the mechanical properties and gating mechanism of no mechanoreceptor potential C (nompC), a member of the transient receptor potential ion channel family, through optic tweezers and cryo-electron microscopy, and (3) explore mechanisms underlying dendrite and axon regeneration after injury.