Columbia University in the City of New York · BiologyMotor Neuron Development Laboratory
Hynek Wichterle · New York, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Hynek Wichterle's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how human spinal motor neurons develop and mature, particularly in comparison to mouse motor neurons. The research aims to identify key molecular mechanisms that contribute to the formation of motor neurons and their susceptibility to diseases like ALS. By engineering specific proteins that could enhance neuron maturation from stem cells, the lab hopes to develop better models of neurodegenerative diseases and explore potential therapeutic strategies.
motor neuron developmentstem cell differentiationalternative splicinghuman ALS modelsneurogenesistranscription factorscell maturityRNA-binding proteinsneurodegenerative diseases
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate species-specific differences in motor neuron progenitor development between humans and mice.
AIM 02Engineer alternative splicing programs to enhance maturity of stem cell-derived neurons.
AIM 03Examine the effect of re-expressing key transcription factors on motor neuron survival in models of ALS.
AIM 04Explore the role of transcription factors in regulating motor neuron identity and resilience to neurodegenerative diseases.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureinduced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) modelsmolecular cloningRNA sequencingelectrophysiologyWestern blottinggene expression analysislineage tracingCRISPRimmunocytochemistry
Output against the department
Publications108bottom 37% of dept.644th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations15ktop 25% of dept.260th of 1,033
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.