Tuan Leng Tay

Dr. Tuan Leng Tay is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University. His research focuses on understanding microglial roles in brain development, injury response, and repair. With a PhD from the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, his work integrates experimental and computational approaches to unravel microglial heterogeneity and functional dynamics.

Key research interests include neuroimmunology, neurodevelopmental processes, and mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Tay’s lab employs single-cell transcriptomics, advanced microscopy, and machine learning to study microglial behavior across health and disease states.

Publications highlight breakthroughs in microglial fate mapping, clonal expansion dynamics, and the development of tools like U-Net for automated cell analysis. His work bridges basic science and translational research, collaborating with engineers to improve neural device compatibility and therapeutic strategies for CNS disorders.

Dr. Tay’s lab actively engages in interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing microglia’s dual role as both protective and pathogenic agents in the brain. Current efforts aim to decode recovery mechanisms post-injury and identify molecular targets for neurodegenerative disease interventions.