Boston University · PharmacologyThe NeuroGlial Initiative
Julia Tcw · Boston, Massachusetts
Research Focus
Dr. Julia Tcw's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, especially as they relate to two critical components: astrocytes and microglia, which are types of brain cells. The lab investigates how genetic factors like the APOE4 variant affect cellular processes that lead to neurodegeneration. By studying human brain cells in the lab, they aim to identify new potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, particularly by targeting the dysfunctions in brain cell nutrient processing and inflammation.
APOE4Alzheimer's diseaseendolysosomal traffickingastrocytesmicroglianeuroinflammationcell therapiesCRISPRlipid metabolism
Research Aims
4AIM 01Elucidate the mechanisms by which APOE4 disrupts endolysosomal trafficking in astrocytes.
AIM 02Investigate how microglia contribute to synaptic dysfunction in early Alzheimer's disease.
AIM 03Develop therapeutic strategies for replacing dysfunctional microglia with protective variants.
AIM 04Identify genetic and cellular targets to potentially reverse the effects of APOE4 in brain cells.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureCRISPR genetic screeningtranscriptional analysisin vitro assaysimmunofluorescenceRNA library preparationmouse modelselectrophysiologypharmacological interventions
Output against the department
Publications55bottom 8% of dept.420th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.3kbottom 39% of dept.283rd of 462
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.