Mark Charlton-Perkins

Biographical Information

My lab studies how glial cells support neural function and contribute to disease, using the retina as a model system. My lab's work ranges from investigating the mechanisms of neuroinflammation to collaborative projects on vision disorders and Neurofibromatosis type 1. We aim to connect fundamental discoveries in neuroscience with translational strategies that can inform new therapies.

Education

Ph.D. Molecular and Developmental Biology, University of Cincinnati(2014).

Selected Publications

• Rathore S, Meece M, Charlton-Perkins M, Cook TA, Buschbeck EK. Probing the conserved roles of cut in the development and function of optically different insect compound eyes. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2023 Mar 31;11:1104620. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1104620
  
• Charlton-Perkins MA, Cook TA, Friedrich M. Semper's Cells in the Insect Compound Eye: Insights into Ocular Form and Function (2021). Developmental Biology S0012-1606 (21)00178-0. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.07.015
  
• Charlton-Perkins M, Almeida AD, MacDonald RB, Harris WA. Genetic control of cellular morphogenesis in Müller glia (2019). GLIA 67(7): 1401-1411
  
• MacDonald RB, Charlton-Perkins M, Harris WA. Mechanisms of Müller glial cell morphogenesis (2017). Current Opinions in Neurobiology 47:31-37
  
• Charlton-Perkins MA, Sendler ED, Buschbeck EK, Cook TA. Multifunctional glial support by Semper cells in the Drosophila retina (2017). PLoS Genetics 31;13(5)
  
• Eldred MK, Charlton-Perkins M, Muresan L, Harris WA. Self-organising aggregates of zebrafish retinal cells for investigating mechanisms of neural lamination (2017). Development 144(6):1097-1106
  Stahl AL, Charlton-Perkins M, Buschbeck EK, Cook TA. The cuticular nature of corneal lenses in Drosophila melanogaster (2017). Development Genes and Evolution 227(4):271-278.
  
• Luebbering N, Charlton-Perkins M, Kumar JP, Rollmann SM, Cook T, Cleghon V (2013). Drosophila Dyrk2 plays a role in the development of the visual system. PLoS One 11,8(10).
  
• Jukam D, Xie B, Rister J, Terrell D, Charlton-Perkins M, Pistillo D, Gebelein B, Desplan C, Cook T (2013). Opposite feedbacks in the Hippo pathway for growth control and neural fate. Science Oct 11;342.
  
• Charlton-Perkins, M., Brown, N.L., and Cook, T.A (2011). The lens in focus: a comparison of lens development in Drosophila and vertebrates. Molecular Genetics and Genomics 286, 189-213.
  
• Charlton-Perkins, M., Whitaker, S.L., Fei, Y., Xie, B., Li-Kroeger, D., Gebelein, B., and Cook, T (2011). Prospero and Pax2 combinatorially control neural cell fate decisions by modulating Ras- and Notch-dependent signaling. Neural Development 6, 20.

Research Interests

For more than 150 years, glial cells have been recognized as a major component of neural tissue, but their essential roles as regulators of nervous system development and function have only recently become clear. As the contributions of glia to neural homeostasis, metabolism, physiology, and structure are increasingly appreciated, research into their development and disease involvement has intensified.

My laboratory investigates the physiology of glial cells and the molecular underpinnings of neuroinflammation, using the vertebrate retina as a model system. We employ large-scale CRISPR-based reverse genetic screens and temporal transcriptomics to uncover conserved pathways that regulate glial differentiation and function. This approach provides insights into the mechanisms by which glia shape neural circuits and respond to pathological conditions.

Beyond basic physiology, our work extends into translational research. In collaboration with industry partners, we are exploring the therapeutic potential of light-based interventions for high myopia. In addition, through a multi-institutional collaboration between Lurie Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and my laboratory, we are developing compound animal models of Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) carrying candidate modifier genes. These efforts aim to understand gene–environment interactions in NF1 better and to identify potential therapeutic targets for associated nervous system tumors.

Together, these projects highlight our commitment to bridging fundamental glial biology with translational approaches that address neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease.

Courses Taught

• BIO 177/277/377/477/320/677: Independent study
  
• BIO 203: Cell Biology
  
• BIO 342: Genetics
  
• BIO 361: Patterns in Development
  
• BIO 419: Independent Capstone
  
• BIO 710: Seminar in Biology: Neural Glial Development
  
• BIO 720: Doctoral Research