WMCWeill Medical College of Cornell University · Neuroscience
Colak Astrocyte Lab
Dilek Colak · New York, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Dilek Colak's research lab at Weill Medical College focuses on the role of astrocytes in brain function, specifically how they regulate cognitive abilities through a process called Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD). By studying how astrocytic NMD influences synaptic plasticity and memory, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic targets for treating cognitive dysfunctions linked to neurological disorders. Their work combines advanced genetic models and imaging techniques to explore the complex interactions between neurons and astrocytes in the brain.
astrocytesNonsense-Mediated Decaycognitive functionsynaptic plasticityRNA degradationcalcium signalingneuronal connectivityneurodevelopmental disorders
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the requirement of astrocytic NMD for learning and memory.
AIM 02Assess the effects of astrocytic NMD ablation on neuronal networks and synaptic function.
AIM 03Evaluate the functional deficits of NMD-deficient astrocytes in vivo.
Skills the Lab Values
RNA sequencingtwo-photon microscopyelectrophysiologyinducible-genetic mouse modelsbehavioral assaysbioinformaticsin vivo imagingviral labelingmultielectrode array assays
Output against the department
Publications39bottom 7% of dept.624th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.5kbottom 26% of dept.494th of 671
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.