Excited to see my PhD work is now published @cp-cellreports.bsky.social ! In this study, we used human retinal organoids to investigate how cell death occurs and affects the development and survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the projection neurons in the eye /1 www.cell.com/cell-reports...

Blocking apoptosis promotes survival and alters developmental dynamics of human retinal ganglion cells in retinal organoids

Zhang et al. found that two waves of apoptosis occur in developing human retinas and retinal organoids, affecting RPCs and RGCs, respectively. Retinal organoids undergo an additional wave of necrosis ...

cell.com

Many thanks to Brian, Clayton and @sethblackshaw.bsky.social for the computational analysis, Caterina, Meghana and Ya-Wen for the samples, and @bobbyjeyeguy.bsky.social for the mentorship and support throughout the journey. Thrilled to see what discoveries lie ahead! 👀

Jingliang (Simon) Zhang@simonomisz.bsky.social · last yr.

Excited to share my PhD work! We characterize waves of cell death during human retinal development, and show how blocking apoptosis promotes RGC long-term survival and alters their developmental dynamics in organoids. These findings will improve future organoid design for retinal disease modeling‼️

Excited to share my PhD work! We characterize waves of cell death during human retinal development, and show how blocking apoptosis promotes RGC long-term survival and alters their developmental dynamics in organoids. These findings will improve future organoid design for retinal disease modeling‼️

Bob Johnston@bobbyjeyeguy.bsky.social · last yr.

Check this paper from @simonomisz.bsky.social in our lab! www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/... Human retinas/organoids go through 2 apoptotic waves. Organoids also have a necrotic wave. Blocking apoptosis promotes RGC survival to day 200 (usually die!). Apoptosis promotes normal neurogenesis/maturation.

Our latest preprint is out, focusing on characterizing the response of Lhx6-positive neurons of the zona incerta (ZI) to naturally-occurring and experimentally-induced changes in the need to sleep, also known as sleep pressure. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Sleep pressure is differentially regulated by molecularly distinct subtypes of Lhx6-positive and Lhx6-negative neurons of the zona incerta

Sleep pressure, the accumulating drive towards sleep during wakefulness, is shaped by Lhx6-positive GABAergic neurons in the zona incerta (ZI). Here, we show that these neurons are broadly activated b...

biorxiv.org

Check out this tour de force work from @christ3na.bsky.social in my lab! Her studies reveal how developmental timing in the retina is controlled like an hourglass. The progenitor:neuron ratio shifts to control signaling levels and trigger photoreceptor development over time. Check it out!!

bioRxivpreprint@biorxivpreprint.bsky.social · 2y ago

DIO3 coordinates photoreceptor development timing and fate stability in human retinal organoids https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.20.644422v1

Happy for this paper to be out on direct circadian-independent effects of light on glucose and lipid metabolism. Spearheaded by student, Xiangning Chen, and in collaboration with Haiqing Zhao and @samerhattar.bsky.social www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Light modulates glucose and lipid homeostasis via the sympathetic nervous system

Light exerts circadian-independent effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.

science.org

Wrapping up my first CSHL meeting #CSHL2024Brain ! Had a great time discussing and learning a lot from this welcoming and inspiring community💡Many thanks to organizers @sergiuppasca.bsky.social and Dr. Guo-li Ming for making this meeting fruitful and enjoyable to all attendees, especially trainees!

Sergiu P. Pasca@sergiuppasca.bsky.social · 2y ago

Our 2024 CSHL conference on human brain development and stem cell models is in full swing, with over 300 participants! This year’s event features exciting new discoveries and dynamic discussions, driven largely by the energy & insights of trainees #Assembloids #Organoids #Brain #CSHL2024Brain

Heading out of town for the 2024 #cshlbrain meeting at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and ready to dive into the fascinating world of brain organoids!