University of Pennsylvania · GeneticsFragile X Research Lab
Thomas A Jongens · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Thomas A. Jongens' lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding Fragile X Syndrome, the leading genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism. They use fruit fly and mouse models to study how mitochondrial dysfunction impacts cognitive and behavioral outcomes in Fragile X. Their research aims to identify potential treatments that can improve symptoms, such as the use of metformin and other pharmacological agents that target cellular signaling pathways.
Fragile X Syndromemitochondrial dysfunctioncognitive behaviormetformininsulin signalingPDE4 inhibitorsDrosophilamouse modelsclinical trialsneurodevelopmental disorders
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate mitochondrial deficits in models of Fragile X Syndrome.
AIM 02Test the effects of metformin on cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
AIM 03Assess how signaling pathway manipulations can restore function in Fragile X models.
AIM 04Evaluate PGC-1a expression and its role in mitochondrial function.
AIM 05Translate findings from preclinical studies to potential clinical therapies.
Skills the Lab Values
Drosophila geneticsmouse modelsbehavioral assaysmolecular cloningimmunohistochemistryWestern blottingmetabolic assayscell culturedata analysisexperimental design
Output against the department
Publications61bottom 14% of dept.223rd of 259
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.9kbottom 26% of dept.191st of 259
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.