معرفی
Mark Charlton-Perkins is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Miami University, affiliated with the Center for Neuroscience and Behavior and the Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology Graduate Program. His research focuses on glial cell biology, particularly their roles in neural development, homeostasis, and disease. He leads the Charlton-Perkins Lab, which investigates glial morphology, evolution, and their involvement in conditions like Wolfram’s Disease and Neurofibromatosis type-1 using zebrafish and Drosophila models. Key techniques include CRISPR-based genetic screens and temporal transcriptomics. Dr. Charlton-Perkins teaches courses on Cell Biology and Neural Glial Development, and actively recruits graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
Research interests include understanding how glial cells regulate neural structure and function, with a focus on Müller glial cells. His lab explores the genetic pathways governing glial differentiation and morphogenesis, leveraging reverse genetic approaches to identify conserved mechanisms. Disease modeling efforts aim to uncover genetic bases of neurological disorders and potential therapeutic strategies. Collaborations with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital expand studies on optic gliomas.
Publications highlight contributions to glial cell biology, including studies on insect compound eye development, Müller glial morphogenesis, and Hippo pathway roles in neurodevelopment. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining molecular genetics, imaging, and evolutionary biology to advance understanding of glial physiology and pathology.
