Dwight Bergles

Dwight Bergles is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. He leads an active research laboratory focused on neuron-glial interactions in brain development, auditory system maturation, and disease.

His research spans three major domains: oligodendrocyte precursor cell biology and myelination, glial modulation of auditory development, and astrocyte neuromodulation in neural circuits. Using transgenic mouse models, in vivo 2- and 3-photon imaging, and electrophysiology, his lab investigates how glial cells support and modulate neural activity during development and disease.

The recent publications (2021–2024) reflect a strong emphasis on in vivo imaging, glial calcium dynamics, myelination mechanisms, and neural circuit refinement. These works appear in high-impact journals such as Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, and eLife, indicating cutting-edge research at the intersection of cellular neuroscience and systems function.

Bergles has mentored numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff, many of whom have gone on to prestigious academic and industry positions. His lab continues to produce significant findings in glial biology and neural development.

Notable lab members include Tsai-Yi Lu (now Assistant Professor at UVa), Vered Kellner (Assistant Professor at Medical University of Vienna), and Lindsay De Biase (Assistant Professor at UCLA), highlighting a strong training record.

The Bergles Lab is equipped with advanced imaging and molecular tools to study glial cell dynamics in vivo, and actively investigates how neuromodulators like norepinephrine regulate glial function during arousal and behavior.