Dr. Gan's research is centered on identifying transcription factors and regulatory pathways required for neuronal differentiation in two model systems: the mammalian retina and inner ear. The Gan lab is currently investigating the regulatory pathways comprised of three major classes of transcription factors: the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), the LIM-domain, and the Class IV POU-domain transcription factors. Using genetically modified mice, the lab has shown that these three classes of transcription factors function in transcription factor cascades to regulate the patterning and cell fate specification in retinal and inner ear structures.
Joshi PS, Molyneaux BJ, Feng L, Xie X, Macklis JD, Gan L. Bhlhb5 regulates the postmitotic acquisition of area identities in layers II-V of the developing neocortex. Neuron. 2008 Oct 23;60(2):258-72.
Pan L, Deng M, Xie X, Gan L. ISL1 and BRN3B co-regulate the differentiation of murine retinal ganglion cells.
Development. 2008 Jun;135(11):1981-90.
Elshatory Y, Everhart D, Deng M, Xie X, Barlow RB, Gan L. Islet-1 controls the differentiation of retinal bipolar and cholinergic amacrine cells. J Neurosci. 2007 Nov 14;27(46):12707-20.