Cells in our body continuously interact through physical connections, and these connections play critical roles in organizing cells into functional tissues. Synapses between neurons have been studied intensively for their central role in the nervous system. Recent advances in bioimaging, however, have revealed another dimension of intercellular communication: non-canonical cellular connections at the nanoscale.

We aim to uncover the principles by which these nanoscopic cell-to-cell connections organize physiological function across diverse cell types at the tissue level. Using the brain, a tissue of extreme cellular heterogeneity, as our model system, we characterize a newly discovered physical network formed by intercellular nanotubes. These structures, only hundreds of nanometers thick, transport materials and organelles between neurons and glia. We study how this non-canonical network integrates with the conventional synaptic connectome, and how both contribute to brain function during learning and in degenerative disease. 

Ultimately, we seek to understand the general principles that govern the dynamics of physical intercellular networks. Could we modulate the connectivity of cells for therapeutic purposes, or even to promote the regeneration or rewiring of brain circuits? Could we map hidden cellular networks between non-neuronal cells outside the nervous system, and dissect their physiology?

Our approach combines cutting-edge high-resolution imaging and quantitative analysis with biophysical modeling and simulation.