معرفی
Peter Juo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Graduate Biomedical Sciences programs in Neuroscience and Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology. Additionally, he serves as the Program Director for the Biomedical Research Program and the Director of the Master's in Biomedical Research (MBR) graduate program.
Dr. Juo received his Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University in 1993, followed by a Master of Science (1995) and Doctor of Philosophy (1999) from Harvard University. He completed postdoctoral training at University of California-Berkeley (2000-2002) and Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital (2002-2005).
Dr. Juo's research focuses on identifying genes and molecular mechanisms involved in the targeting and turnover of synaptic proteins, particularly glutamate receptors. His laboratory uses a combination of genetics, biochemistry, in vivo fluorescence imaging, and behavior to study the localization and regulation of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors in C. elegans. This work aims to understand how synapses are built during development and regulated in the mature nervous system during learning and memory, with implications for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Alzheimer's Disease, and Schizophrenia.
Analysis of Dr. Juo's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on glutamate receptor trafficking and regulation through various molecular mechanisms including ubiquitination pathways, VEGF signaling, and transcriptional regulation. His research spans multiple disciplines including neuroscience, molecular biology, and cell biology, with a strong emphasis on using C. elegans as a model organism to uncover fundamental principles of synaptic function.
- Outstanding Graduate Biomedical School Faculty Mentor Award (2011)
Dr. Juo has been a dedicated mentor, training 5 postdoctoral fellows (4 of whom secured tenure-track positions), 6 Ph.D. thesis students, 2 MD-Ph.D. students, 24 undergraduate students, and 3 high school students. He has also mentored numerous graduate students through rotations and thesis committees. His research has been supported by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and March of Dimes, including the current "Regulation of glutamate receptor trafficking by VER/VEGF receptors in the nervous system" project (2020-2024).
Dr. Juo leads a research laboratory focused on synaptic biology using C. elegans as a model system. His team employs genetic, biochemical, and imaging approaches to investigate fundamental mechanisms of synapse development and function.
