EUEmory University · Genetics
Astrocyte Development Lab
Steven A Sloan · Atlanta, Georgia
Research Focus
Dr. Steven A Sloan's lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how the human brain develops, particularly how certain cells in the brain switch from making neurons to making astrocytes, a type of glial cell. Using advanced models like human-derived brain organoids, the lab investigates the genetic and cellular mechanisms that regulate this transition, which is important for normal brain function and is disrupted in various developmental disorders. The research aims to uncover fundamental insights that could provide new strategies for treating neurodevelopmental diseases.
gliogenesisneurodevelopmentastrocytesbrain organoidscell fate decision
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate which human progenitor cells undergo the gliogenic switch
AIM 02Identify intrinsic mechanisms that promote glial competence
AIM 03Trace lineage trajectories during the gliogenic switch
AIM 04Assess the impact of specific transcription factors on gliogenesis
AIM 05Analyze the molecular drivers of human astrocyte development
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureiPSC technologylineage tracingATAC-seqmolecular profiling
Output against the department
Publications112bottom 35% of dept.167th of 259
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations17ktop 33% of dept.86th 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.