Hongjun Song, Ph.D.

Research summary

Hongjun Song, Ph.D.

The Song lab studies mechanisms underlying mammalian neurogenesis, especially the cellular and molecular mechanisms that adult neural stem cells and their development in the mature central nervous system. The lab uses an integrated approach to study rodent and human neural stem cells in cell culture and in animal models utilizing technologies in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, epigenetics, virology, histology, in vivo multiphoton confocal imaging, electrophysiology, mouse genetics and animal behaviors.

Current projects include characterizing properties of adult neural stem cells and neurogenesis; investigating intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms regulating fate choice of adult neural stem cells and development of newborn neurons in the adult brain; characterizing contributions of newborn neurons at multiple levels in the adult brain, including single-cell electrophysiology in acute slices, local neuronal circuitry integration in vivo using optogenetic and multi-electrode recordings, and contribution to specific animal behaviors; exploring epigenetic mechanisms regulating adult neural plasticity.

The Song lab also is interested in understanding how defects in adult neurogenesis and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to mental disorders.

Additional information

Meet Dr. Song

On using stem cells in the brain to study mental disorders:
(Click here for video transcription)

Titles
Professor of Neurology 
Professor of Neuroscience
Director, Stem Cell Program

Graduate Programs
Neuroscience 
Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Human Genetics and Molecular Biology

Publications
View a list of publications on PubMed.

Contact information
Phone: 443-287-7499
Lab: 443-287-5612
Fax: 410-614-9568
Email: shongju1@jhmi.edu