معرفی
Dr. Shawn Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at Yale School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment in Neuroscience. He leads the Ferguson Lab, focusing on lysosome biology and neurodegenerative diseases. His research integrates molecular cell biology, genetics, and model systems to understand lysosomal dysfunction in Alzheimer’s, ALS, FTD, and Parkinson’s diseases. He earned his PhD from Vanderbilt University and completed postdoctoral training at Yale under Pietro De Camilli. His lab has identified key mechanisms linking lysosome regulation to disease, including roles for LRRK2, TBK1, and JIP proteins. Collaborations span departments like Biochemistry and the Wu Tsai Institute. Current projects explore lysosomal transport defects, STING signaling pathways, and the impact of nutrient sensing on neurodegeneration. His work has been featured in Nature Cell Biology, Journal of Cell Biology, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Education: BSc (Biochemistry-Nutrition), MSc (Physiology), University of Ottawa; PhD (Neuroscience), Vanderbilt University (2004)
Research Interests: The Ferguson Lab investigates how lysosomes adapt to cellular demands, particularly in neurons and immune cells. Key areas include:
- Lysosomal transport defects in axons and their role in Alzheimer’s amyloid pathology
- Regulation of mTORC1 signaling via lysosomal sensors like TFEB
- Mechanisms of lysosomal damage in Parkinson’s and ALS
- Genetic mutations (e.g., JIP3/4) affecting lysosomal positioning and trafficking
Labs/Teams: Ferguson Lab at Yale School of Medicine, collaborating with the De Camilli Lab and interdisciplinary groups in systems immunology and neuroscience.
