Welcome to the Du Lab
Our lab focuses on "Diseases of Brain Fluid Homeostasis," with the goal of understanding how the brain maintains fluid balance and clears waste to support overall health. We investigate the intricate processes involved in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production, circulation, and clearance, with a particular emphasis on the role of cervical lymphatic vessels (cLVs) in facilitating brain waste removal. These vessels act as critical pathways for transporting waste-laden CSF to lymph nodes, and their dysfunction can have significant implications for neurological health.
We also study the choroid plexus, a specialized structure that produces CSF, examining how its regulation and dysfunction contribute to conditions such as hydrocephalus, where fluid accumulates abnormally in the brain. Our research extends to exploring the impacts of impaired brain fluid homeostasis in acute and chronic conditions, including stroke and Alzheimer's disease. In Alzheimer's, disrupted fluid clearance is believed to contribute to the accumulation of toxic proteins, such as amyloid-beta, which are central to disease progression.
By combining advanced imaging and molecular biology techniques, our lab seeks to uncover new therapeutic approaches. We aim to identify strategies to restore or enhance brain fluid clearance mechanisms, offering potential treatments for a wide range of neurological disorders.
Lab Members