University of Maryland, Baltimore · NeuroscienceBaskakov Neuroinflammation Lab
Ilia V Baskakov · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Dr. Ilia V Baskakov's lab focuses on understanding how certain brain cells, called microglia and astrocytes, respond during prion diseases, which are severe neurodegenerative disorders that are currently untreatable. His research aims to uncover the roles these cells play in disease progression and whether they can be targeted for potential therapies. By studying how these cells behave in prion-infected models, the lab hopes to identify new strategies to slow down or improve the course of these diseases.
prion diseasesneurodegenerationmicroglial phagocytosisreactive astrocytestherapeutic strategiesneuroinflammationcellular signalingstat3FDA-approved inhibitorsRNA sequencing
Research Aims
3AIM 01Establish the timeline of microglial uptake of prions and their impact on viable neurons.
AIM 02Assess the role of the P2Y12 receptor in microglial phagocytosis during prion disease.
AIM 03Examine the effects of the Stat3 transcription factor knockout in reactive astrocytes on prion disease progression.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelsflow cytometrygene knockout techniquesRNA sequencingWestern blotimmunostainingphagocytosis assaysneuron isolationdata analysis in biological research
Output against the department
Publications176top 43% of dept.286th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations10ktop 40% of dept.269th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.