معرفی
Loyal Goff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research bridges developmental neuroscience, genomics, and computational biology, focusing on cell-type diversity and transcriptional regulation in the mammalian nervous system.
Research Interests: Dr. Goff's work centers on understanding cellular heterogeneity in the central and enteric nervous systems. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, his lab investigates how gene expression programs define cell identity during development, how neural circuits are established, and how disruptions contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Key areas include retinal development, cortical layering, microglia function, and the role of long non-coding RNAs in neural differentiation.
Publications and Methodology: He has contributed to foundational studies in single-cell genomics, including the development of analytical tools such as CoGAPS and projectR. His recent publications span topics from defining neuronal subtypes to modeling disease mechanisms like microcephaly and autism, demonstrating a strong integration of experimental and computational approaches.
Scientific Contributions:
- Co-developer of CoGAPS, a Bayesian NMF algorithm for single-cell data analysis.
- Contributor to RNA velocity and transfer learning frameworks in genomics.
- Key role in elucidating transcriptional networks in retinal and cortical development.
Advising and Collaborations: Dr. Goff mentors trainees and collaborates across disciplines, including bioinformatics, developmental biology, and neurology. His lab receives support from NIH and other research grants, enabling high-impact studies on neural development and disease. He is actively involved in training programs at Johns Hopkins, shaping the next generation of neuroscientists.
Laboratory and Resources: The Goff Lab maintains a robust research environment with expertise in single-cell genomics, mouse models, and computational analysis. They develop and share software tools and datasets publicly, contributing to open science in neuroscience and genomics.
