CNG News

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October 29, 2024Dr. Long-Jun Wu was invited to give a talk for CNG entitled “Brain Immune Cells: Friend or Foe?” at the 2024 UTHealth Houston IMMpact Symposium “Seeing the Unseen: New Insights into How the Brain Operates.” Dr. Wu presented his laboratory’s main research projects, focusing on the role of microglia in neurodegeneration and microglia regulation in neuronal network. He highlighted the intricate molecular signaling underlying microglia activity and the significance of microglia function in various disease contexts, such as Alzheimer’s disease, seizure, and glioma. The talk concluded with appreciation for the generous support from the Wallace family and Dunn Foundation, which is vital for advancing research in the field of neuroimmunology and glial biology. Attendees also engaged in an interactive question-and-answer session, followed by reception for further dialogue and networking.
October 11, 2024Dr. Long-Jun Wu has been recently elected as President for the Society for Chinese Neuroscientists (SCN). SCN is an organization of neuroscientists in academia and industry around the world dedicated to advancing neuroscience research, seeking therapeutic solutions for nervous system diseases, and fostering collaboration among members and colleagues. As incoming President, Dr. Wu will coordinate the organization’s annual research symposium, which will be held in Houston in early 2026. (https://www.sfnchinese.org)
September 20, 2024Dr. Long-Jun Wu, CNG director, hosted an insightful session of the IMM Seminar Series. Dr. Casey Cook, Associate Professor at Mayo Clinic, was invited as the guest speaker.

Dr. Cook delivered an engaging seminar titled “Untangling mechanisms in AD and related disorders” and explored Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related disorders, biochemical and functional characterization of the AD tau filament core, the impact of tauopathy on the oligodendrocyte lineage, and functional consequences of TMEM106B deposition.

This seminar was a great opportunity for research community to engage with important research in neurodegeneration.

September 16, 2024Postdoctoral trainee, Dr. Aastha Dheer, from Dr. Long-Jun Wu’s lab has officially accepted an Assistant Professor position at the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, a multidisciplinary research university committed to excellence in discovery and innovation in India. In addition to this significant career achievement, Dr. Dheer also has been awarded the prestigious Ramalingaswami re-entry fellowship, granted by the Department of Biotechnology in India.
September 5, 2024Dr. Long-Jun Wu, Director of the CNG, and Dean Dr. Hancock introduced the Center for Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology (CNG) at the IMM Research Retreat. Dr. Wu delivered an insightful talk titled “Center for Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology: Harnessing the Power of Brain Immunity,” in which he outlined the center's mission and innovative approach to understanding brain immune system to develop future neuroimmune therapy.

The retreat, held in collaboration with UTHealth Houston’s D. Bradley McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, featured a series of special faculty presentations and updates on joint research initiatives. This event provided a valuable platform for sharing progress and fostering collaborations within the research community.
August 30, 2024We are pleased to announce that Dr. Qingchun Tong has been awarded the Hans J. Muller-Eberhard, M.D. and Irma Gigli, M.D. Distinguished Chair in Immunology. This endowment recognizes Dr. Tong’s exceptional achievements and provides support for his continued cutting-edge research.
August 21, 2024Dr. Long-Jun Wu at the CNG has been awarded R33 grant (4R33AT012544-02) entitled “Identification of botanical hHv1 channel blockers as analgesics for neuropathic pain” as co-principle investigator, together with Drs Steve Goldstein and Ruiming Zhao at UC Irvine, by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The project addresses the unmet medical need of effective therapeutics for neuropathic pain, a debilitating chronic pain syndrome that affects over 16 million Americans. Researchers seek to optimize a novel fluorescent high-throughput screening assay to identify small molecule blockers of the voltage-gated proton channel (Hv1) from botanicals that reduce inflammatory mediator release by microglia and thereby relieving neuropathic pain. In addition to its potential impact on neuropathic pain, this research holds broader implications for other inflammatory disorders, such as ischemic stroke, as Hv1 contributes to tissue damage after ischemic stroke.
May 4, 2024Postdoctoral trainee, Dr. Tony Umpierre, from Dr. Long-Jun Wu’s lab at the CNG has officially accepted a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota. Dr. Umpierre’s new lab focuses on the role of microglia and their secondary messenger calcium signaling in shaping the neuro-immune landscape during early epilepsy development. The ultimate goal is to uncover key molecular pathways governing early risk of epilepsy development post-injury.
April 26, 2024CNG director Dr. Long-Jun Wu hosted the first Inaugural Symposium on the Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology at UT Health Houston, honoring the life and contribution of immunologist Dr. Hans J.Müller-Eberhard, the first director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine. The symposium invited thirteen leading experts in the field, who delivered enriching and stimulating presentations on the latest advancements in neuroimmunology and glial biology.

April 12, 2024Dr. Long-Jun Wu lab at the CNG has published research article titled “Microglial P2Y6 calcium signaling promotes phagocytosis and shapes neuroimmune responses in epileptogenesis in Neuron. The study reveals following key findings: a UDP1.0 sensor reports enhanced UDP release following hyperexcitability, UDP-P2Y6 signaling transduces microglial calcium activity in epileptogenesis, P2Y6 signaling enhances lysosome biogenesis and inflammatory cytokine production, and preventing P2Y6 signaling preserves neurons and cognition. Congratulations to Dr. Tony Umpierre, the first author, and the entire team for this significant achievement.
March 31, 2024The CNG is pleased to announce the addition of eight new affiliated faculty members, bringing a wealth of expertise from several key disciplines:

From Neurology:

• Dr. Jaroslaw Aronowski, Professor
• Dr. Juneyoung Lee, Assistant Professor
• Dr. John W. Lindsey, Professor
• Dr. Fudong Liu, Associate Professor
• Dr. Louise McCullough, Professor
• Dr. Rodney Ritzel, Assistant Professor

From Neurosurgery: Dr. Eunsu Park, Assistant Professor
From Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine: Dr. Wei Cao, Professor

This exceptional team will significantly enrich the CNG’s mission in neuroimmunology and glial biology, advancing our research and clinical goals.
March 28, 2024CNG director Dr. Long-Jun Wu was interviewed by Dr. Mark Mattson for the Brain Ponderings podcast series. The discussion explored the critical roles of microglia in neuroplasticity, chronic pain, brain injury, and disease. Dr. Wu shared valuable insights from his research, highlighting its potential impact on brain health and new therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders. While microglia were once thought to only function as the brain’s immune cells, responding to injury or infection, recent research has shown that microglia play important roles in responding to and regulating neuronal network activity, as well as adaptations of the brain to physiological challenges. These exciting findings, which are generating great interest in the field, were discussed in this thought-provoking and engaging podcast.
February 7, 2024Dr. Qingchun Tong at the CNG has published research article titled “An excitatory projection from the basal forebrain to the ventral tegmental area that underlies anorexia-like phenotypes” in Neuron. The study reveals overactivation of the glutamatergic BF → VTA circuit as a potential cause of anorexia-like phenotypes involving reduced dopamine release. Many congratulations to Dr. Tong and the team!
January 5, 2024We are excited to announce the official launch of the Center for Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology (CNG) at the Institute of Molecular Medicine, UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School. As an interdisciplinary research center, CNG’s mission is to unravel the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between nervous system and immune system, with the goal of developing neuroimmune therapies for brain disorders.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the CNG brings together talented faculty using cutting-edge techniques to address a wide range of neurological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, pain, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and metabolic disorders. The center started with three resident members, each bringing unique expertise:

Dr. Long-Jun Wu serves as the Professor and Founding Director at CNG. He holds the C. Harold and Lorine G. Wallace Distinguished University Chair. Dr. Wu leads research on neuroimmune interaction in normal and diseased brain, utilizing advanced genetic models and cutting-edge technologies to uncover therapeutic targets for brain diseases. Dr. Wu is widely recognized for his impactful research, earning him the NINDS Outstanding Investigator Award. He also serves as section editor for many journals and is a dedicated mentor, honored as Teacher of the Year at Mayo Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Qingchun Tong serves as the Professor and Associate Director at the CNG. He holds the Cullen Chair in Molecular Medicine and Hans J. Muller-Eberhard, MD, PhD and Irma Gigli, MD Distinguished Chair in Immunology. Dr. Tong’s research focuses on identifying key targets underlying eating disorders, obesity, and diabetes. His work has been published in many prestigious journals.

Dr. Jiaqian Wu, professor and founding member at CNG, combines neuroscience and systems-based approaches to investigate glia cells and neural stem cell differentiation, aiming to identify key regulators as therapeutic targets. Dr. Wu has received distinguished awards and published research in high-impact journals.

The CNG is in its nascent stages and is committed to providing opportunities for emerging scientists to advance our understanding of brain health and disease.