Biography
Dr. Wen-Jun Gao received his Ph.D. from Chinese Academy of Sciences. He did his first postdoctoral training with Dr. Sarah L. Pallas at Georgia State University, then with Drs. Patricia S. Goldman-Rakic and David A. McCormick at Yale University School of Medicine. He is now an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Research Interests
• The structure and function of neocortex, especially prefrontal cortex
• Cellular and synaptic mechanisms of neuronal network activity
• Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic transmission and monoaminergic modulations
• Neurobiology of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and ADHD
Research Summary
Cerebral cortex is the most complex brain region in the central nervous system. Elucidating its diverse functions represents a major challenge in neurobiology. We are interested in the neuronal mechanisms underlying the synaptic signaling and monoaminergic regulation in the prefrontal cortical circuitry, as well as the critical issues in neuropathology of mental disorders and other neurological diseases. Specifically, we plan to take the advantages of both in vivo and in vitro preparations to examine the neuronal signaling in both normal and animal models of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and ADHD.
Work in the laboratory is currently focused in the following projects: 1) monoaminergic regulation of synaptic transmissions and network activity in the prefrontal circuitry; 2) roles of NMDA receptors in the schizophrenia pathological process; and 3) trafficking of glutamate receptors. Our research involves a variety of morphological, physiological, pharmacological, and molecular approaches designed to elucidate the synaptic mechanisms underlying the prefrontal functions. Morphological studies include single-cell labeling, neuronal reconstruction, and immunocytochemistry. Physiological, pharmacological and molecular approaches include multiple whole-cell recordings, drug applications, western blotting, and real-time PCR in fresh brain tissues, acute brain slices, and cell culture preparations. These approaches are mutually supportive with a comprehensive integration across disciplines.
Lab Personnel
Postdoctoral Fellows:
Dr. Huaixing Wang (Peter)
Dr. Yanchun Li (Lisa)
Graduate Students:
Dr. Dong Xi
Kimberly Urban
Joy Roman
Selected Publications
1. Wang HX and Gao WJ (2009). Cell-type specific development of NMDA receptors in the interneurons of rat prefrontal cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology (in press).
2. Xi D, Keeler B, Zhang W, Houle JD, and Gao WJ (2009). NMDA receptor subunit expression in GABAergic interneurons in the prefrontal cortex: application of laser microdissection technique. Journal of Neuroscience Method 176:172-181.
3. Wang H, Wang X-J, and Gao WJ (2008). A specialized NMDA receptor function in the recurrent microcircuitry of the adult prefrontal cortex. PNAS, 105(43):16791-16796.
4. Gao WJ (2007). Acute clozapine suppresses synchronized pyramidal synaptic network activity by increasing inhibition in the prefrontal cortex. The Journal of Neurophysiology 97:1196-1208.
5. Gao WJ and Goldman-Rakic PS (2006). NMDA receptor-mediated epileptiform persistent activity requires calcium release from internal stores. Experimental Neurology 197: 495-504.
6. Gao WJ and Zheng ZH (2004). Target-specific differences in somatodendritic morphology of layer V pyramidal neurons in rat motor cortex. The Journal of Comparative Neurology 476:174-185.
7. Gao WJ and Goldman-Rakic PS (2003). Selective Modulation of Excitatory and Inhibitory Microcircuits by Dopamine. PNAS, 100(5):2836-41.
8. Gao WJ, Wang Y and Goldman-Rakic PS (2003). Dopamine modulation of peridendritic and perisomatic inhibition in prefrontal cortex. The Journal of Neuroscience, 23:1622-30.
9. Gao WJ, Krimer LS and Goldman-Rakic PS (2001). Presynaptic regulation of recurrent excitation by D1 receptor in prefrontal circuits. PNAS, 98:295-300.
10. Gao WJ, Wormington AB, Newman DE and Pallas SL (2000). Development of inhibitory circuitry in visual and auditory cortex of postnatal ferrets: immunocytochemical localization of parvalbumin and calbindin-containing neurons. The Journal of Comparative Neurology 422:140-157.
11. Gao WJ and Pallas SL (1999). Cross-modal reorganization of horizontal connectivity in auditory cortex without altering thalamocortical input. The Journal of Neuroscience 19(18):7940-7950.
12. Gao WJ, Newman DE, Wormington AB and Pallas SL (1999). Development of inhibitory circuitry in visual and auditory cortex of postnatal ferrets: immunocytochemical localization of GABAergic neurons. The Journal of Comparative Neurology 409(2):261-273. |