Our TeamLin Tian Laboratory Personnel
Janet 'Skippy' Keiter
Graduate Student
jakeiter@ucdavis.edu
I am interested in understanding the intercommunication between neurons and astrocyte at the intimate connections of the synapse. With a baseline understanding of this interplay, we can see how disruption of this system may play a major role in many diseases with unknown etiologies.
Xiao Guan
Associate Specialist
xiao.guan@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
I am interested in applying induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology to study neurological diseases, including Down syndrome, schizophrenia and epilepsy. In particular, I develop tools to integrate genetically encoded sensors into hiPSC-derived cells to closely examine the signaling details of neurons and astrocytes in normal and diseased conditions. We hope by modeling these diseases in vitro, we will (1) further understand the role astrocytes play in pathogenesis of neurological conditions (2) understand molecular and cellular signaling details of neurons and astrocytes on circuitry level (3) identify and develop novel drugs that correct observed neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative anomalies.
