Keran Ma
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
McGovern Medical School
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
The Ma lab aims to understand neuron-glia interactions and cellular dysfunction underlying
behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease at the molecular, cellular, circuit and network
levels. We are interested in investigating neuronal functional deficits and modulation of neuronal
activity by microglia and astrocytes in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. We employ
advanced state-of-the-art tools in in vivo electrophysiology and multi-photon imaging in awake
behaving mice, virtual reality behavioral paradigms, machine learning, and RNA sequencing to
address our research questions. We use optogenetics, genetic manipulation and pharmacological
intervention to modulate specific neuronal and glial functions to gain further mechanistic insight
for therapeutic interventions.
Tutorial students would work on a focused 10-week project that is part of a larger research
project. Depending on interests, students will gain hands-on experience in 2-photon
imaging/uncaging, electrophysiological unit/local field potential recordings, or optogenetic
stimulations in awake behaving mice using mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. Mouse
behavior during imaging and recording sessions will either be conducted in real life mazes or
virtual reality mazes. Students may also learn immunohistochemistry and complex data analysis
using Matlab.
Education & Training
PhD, University of Toronto, 2014