معرفی
Seth Blackshaw is a Professor in the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he leads a prominent research laboratory investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and regeneration of the retina and hypothalamus. His work bridges developmental neuroscience, gene regulation, and neural circuit function, with strong affiliations to the Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Human Genetics, and Neuroscience Training Programs.
His research focuses on identifying gene regulatory networks that control neural and glial cell fate specification in the vertebrate CNS. Using single-cell RNA and ATAC-Seq, his lab has uncovered key roles for NFI transcription factors in retinal development and Lhx6-positive neurons in sleep regulation. He studies how Müller glia and tanycytes retain neurogenic potential, aiming to harness these mechanisms for regenerative therapies in retinal degeneration and hypothalamic disorders. His work also extends to developing innovative tools like the HuProt human proteome array and monoclonal antibodies for transcription factor studies.
Recent publications reveal a strong trend in comparative genomics, injury-induced neurogenesis, and circuit-level analysis of sleep and circadian regulation. His studies span mouse, zebrafish, chick, and rabbit models, emphasizing evolutionary conservation and context-specific regulation of gene networks. The integration of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and functional data underscores a systems-level approach to understanding brain development and repair.
- Kavli postdoctoral fellowship (mentee)
- IDIES Seed Fund Program Award (mentee)
Seth Blackshaw has trained numerous doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom now hold faculty or leadership positions in academia and industry. His lab collaborates extensively within Johns Hopkins, particularly on computational tools like ASCOT for RNA splicing analysis. He has been instrumental in developing high-throughput proteomic resources that benefit the broader scientific community. His research is supported by ongoing grants focused on neurodevelopment, regeneration, and circuit function.
His lab includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD students from multiple programs, lab managers, and technicians, reflecting a vibrant and interdisciplinary team. Current projects focus on sleep-regulating neurons, retinal reprogramming, and cross-species analysis of regenerative mechanisms.
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