Michael P Hart

Michael P Hart is an Assistant Professor of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. He serves as a Principle Investigator in the Autism Program of Excellence and is a Member of the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology. His research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal circuit formation and plasticity.

Education:

• B.S. in Neuroscience from St. Lawrence University (2006)
• Ph.D. in Neuroscience from University of Pennsylvania (2012)

Research Interests:

Dr. Hart's research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal circuit formation and plasticity. His work specifically investigates: 1) how neuronal circuits are wired through synaptic connections between neurons; 2) how synaptic connections within circuits are modified; and 3) how these modifications impact behavior. He is particularly interested in understanding the circuit-associated functions of genes associated with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and schizophrenia.

Using C. elegans as a primary model system, his lab leverages the organism's simple nervous system (302 neurons) to study complex questions in neurobiology with unparalleled resolution. This approach allows for analysis of gene function at the level of single neurons and single isoforms, providing insights into fundamental neurobiological processes and disease mechanisms.

Publication Trends:

Dr. Hart's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on synaptic proteins (particularly neurexins and neuroligins), their role in circuit formation and plasticity, and how variants in these genes relate to neurodevelopmental disorders. His work bridges basic neurobiology with translational research, using C. elegans to model human conditions like autism and schizophrenia. A significant portion of his recent work examines how genetic variants impact behavior through changes in neuronal circuits, with multiple publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications and Communications Biology in 2024.

Training and Mentorship:

Dr. Hart is actively seeking candidates for graduate and undergraduate research positions in his lab. His postdoctoral training at Columbia University (2012-2017) and subsequent role as a Research Associate at Penn's Department of Genetics (2017-2019) have prepared him to mentor students in neuroscience, genetics, and molecular biology techniques. The lab provides opportunities to work with the C. elegans model system to address fundamental questions in neurobiology.

Research Environment:

The Hart Lab is located in the Clinical Research Building (CRB) at the University of Pennsylvania, with lab space in CRB 450 and office in CRB 452A. The lab is part of the Department of Genetics within the Perelman School of Medicine and maintains strong connections with the Cell and Molecular Biology and Neuroscience graduate groups. The research environment emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding neural circuit function and its relationship to neurodevelopmental disorders.