Principal Investigator
Bingwei Lu, PhD
Professor of Pathology
e: bingwei@stanford.edu
Our laboratory is interested in understanding how the diverse neuronal cell types are generated and maintained in the nervous system. We are taking a combined molecular, cellular, genetic, and genomic approach in the model organisms Drosophila and mouse. To study how neuronal diversity is generated, we focus on investigating the mechanisms of asymmetric division of neural stem cell that balances the self-renewal and differentiation potentials of neural stem cells. Of particular interest to us is the mechanism by which aberrant regulation of neural stem cell asymmetric division leads to brain tumor-like phenotypes. To study how neurons are properly maintained after they are integrated into neural networks, we are creating neurodegenerative phenotypes in Drosophila similar to that observed in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in humans. We are employing the power of fly genetics to identify genetic modifiers that can suppress or enhance these disease phenotypes. Given the unanticipated high level conservation of signaling pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and physiological processes between flies and mammals, our research promises to provide insights into fundamental mechanisms that control the generation and maintenance of neuronal diversity in humans. — Bingwei
Research Professionals
Sunil Bhurtel, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Pathology
PhD in Pharmacy from Yeungnam University, South Korea
MSc in Pharmacy from Yeungnam University, South Korea
BSc in Pharmacy from Pokhara University, Nepal Stanford Profile
Sunil received his B. pharm degree from Pokhara University, Nepal and MS-PhD from Yeungnam University, South Korea in neuropharmacology. Sunil’s area of expertise focuses on the in vivo and in vitro model of Parkinson’s disease. Currently, he is working on the mechanistic pathway of mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and age-related diseases including neurodegeneration.
Suman Rimal, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Pathology
PhD in Genetics (Kookmin University)
MS Medical Microbiology (Tribhuvan University)
Suman completed his PhD in molecular genetics from Kookmin University, South Korea. His doctoral research focused on molecular and cellular mechanisms of Acetic acid and nicotine sensation in Drosophila melanogaster. Currently he is working to discover the genetic mechanism underlying mitochondrial pathology, neurodegeneration, and the role of ribosome-associated protein quality control in aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
I am dedicated to leveraging my interdisciplinary background—merging skin probiotics research, drug delivery systems expertise, and nanomedicine development—to create innovative medical solutions. My journey spans academia and industry, showcasing my skills in international market expansion, technology transfer, and project management. My goal is to utilize my research interests and professional skills to develop innovative medical devices and treatment methods, improving the management of diseases that are currently difficult to treat.
Jaehyuk Lee, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Pathology
MS, PhD in Life Sciences from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea; BS in Life Sciences from Sogang University, South Korea
Jaehyuk completed his PhD in Life Sciences from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). His doctoral research focused on revealing mechanism of dual receptivity of sex peptide receptor and core neurons regulating sperm ejection behavior of female Drosophila melanogaster. Currently, he is exploring to find a link between sleep and mitochondrial changes. His research also includes figuring out what and how genes related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) play role on mitochondria and sleep, using fly model system.
Wen Li, PhD
Research Scientist
PhD in physiology from Nankai University, China.
Wen obtained her PhD in physiology department at Nankai University, focusing on the role of autophagy in stem cells for treatment Alzheimer's disease. She was a postdoctoral fellow in Dr Chin Chiang's lab at Vanderbilt University. Her work revealed that the mechanism of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway-dependent stellate cells in regulating inhibitory dendritic synapses and motor learning. She subsequently moved to Stanford and joined Dr. Lu’s lab. Currently, she is working on tau hyperphosphorylation triggers mitochondria dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Her work focuses on investigating the interaction between p-Tau and mitochondrial complex I in neurons by applying multiple models including disease-relevant iPSCs and different types of transgenic mice.
