Dr. Mark Wu

Biography

Mark Wu is a Professor in the Solomon H Snyder Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. He holds MD and PhD degrees and specializes in genetic mechanisms and neuronal circuitry underlying sleep. His research employs the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system to explore the complexities of sleep behavior, which remains poorly understood. Dr. Wu's work emphasizes the use of genetic screens and molecular immunohistochemical analyses, alongside electrophysiological and imaging techniques to identify and analyze neuronal circuits and molecules affecting behavior. He has identified a conserved molecule named WIDE AWAKE, which plays a crucial role in the circadian regulation of sleep, suggesting its functional conservation across mammals. Furthermore, his studies investigate the role of dopamine networks in behavioral modulation. Through novel genetic tools, he aims to elucidate the interactions between internal states and external stimuli mediated by dopamine, contributing to our understanding of behavioral regulation.

Research Interests