Overview
Dr. Gan studies the molecular mechanisms behind the loss of functional neurons in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Frontotemporal Dementia. Her lab explores the relationship between the aging of neural circuits, the accumulation of toxic proteins and the subsequent activation of a chronic inflammatory response. Understanding how these processes become dysfunctional in neurodegeneration could lead to new therapeutic strategies to tackle Alzheimer’s disease and Frontotemporal dementia.
Highlights
- 1Cell · 2022
- 2Nature neuroscience · 2023
- 3Cell · 2024
Publications
Funding
Active
33 grants- Sub-PIR01NS145443-02Mechanisms and intervention of cGAS signaling in brain trauma-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegenerationNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2025–2030 · via University of Maryland, Baltimore
- MPIR01AG096902-01CH25H mediates microglial neuroinflammation and tau toxicities in ADNational Institute on Aging · 2025–2030
- PIR01AG092462-02Mapping proteomic changes of tauopathy in human neuronsNational Institute on Aging · 2025–2030
- KPK99NS149066-01Investigating the role of progranulin microglial replacement therapy in Parkinson's DiseaseNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2026–2028Career
- Sub-PIR01AG078457-02The Alzheimer's Disease Tau Platform Clinical TrialNational Institute on Aging · 2023–2028 · via University of California, San Francisco
- KPK99AG095211-01A1Investigating Modifiers of Human Microglia-Neuron Interplay in Tau Propagation In VivoNational Institute on Aging · 2026–2028Career
- PIMJFF-028881Validating STING as a therapeutic target for Parkinson disease using human iPSC models (MJFF-028881) to 2026 RFA: T2T Neuroinflammation Target ValidationMichael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research · 2026–2028
- PIR44AG099654-01Human CGAS inhibitors to treat neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's diseaseNIA · 2026–2028 · via NIH RePORTER
- Sub-PIR01AG079291-04Study of Selective Cell and System Vulnerability in Alzheimer's DiseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2023–2028 · via University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- PICAF 255893-01Microglial-astrocytic mechanisms of APOE3 Christchurch-mediated resilience to tauopathyCure Alzheimer’s Fund · 2025–2027
- PIJBP 2024-4710Targeting maladaptive innate immune response to treat PDJPB Foundation, The · 2024–2027
- PIRCF 261005-01Systematic Identification of Biomarkers to Distinguish FTD-Tau from TDP-43Rainwater Charitable Foundation · 2026–2027
- Sub-PIR61DA065570-02Studying NeuroHIV and addictive substances in a human microglia-neuron chimera mouse modelNational Institute on Drug Abuse · 2025–2027 · via The J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Sub-PIRF1AG079557-02Elucidate the Roles of Alzheimer's Disease Variants in Gene Expression and AD PhenotypesNational Institute on Aging · 2022–2027 · via The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco
- Co-IK99AG090732-01A calvarial stem cell mediating a new bone-brain axis in Alzheimer's diseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2025–2027Career
- PIBP 262896-01RCA with Arvinas, IncArvinas, Inc. · 2026–2027BioPharma Alliance
- MPIR01AG074541-05cGAS inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease treatmentNational Institute on Aging · 2021–2027
- Sub-PIAECM 232620-03Hevolution Network on Senescense in AgingHevolution Foundation · 2024–2027 · via Yeshiva University
- Co-IR01AG076448-01TREM2 Genotype-Informed Drug Repurposing and Combination Therapy Design for Alzheimer's DiseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2022–2027 · via Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
- Sub-PIR01AG077899-05Genome-wide identification and characterization of Alzheimer's Disease-associated enhancersNational Institute on Aging · 2022–2027 · via Cornell University - Ithaca
- Sub-PIR01AG076932-05Development of novel genomic approaches for profiling cellular temporal-spatial dynamics of neurogenesis in Aging and Alzheimer's diseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2022–2027 · via Rockefeller University
- PICAF 245217-01Sex-biased TLR7 signaling in demyelination and its inhibition by small moleculesCure Alzheimer’s Fund · 2025–2026
- PICZI 253116-01Genome-scale perturb-seq of human neurons and astrocytes in vivoChan Zuckerberg Initiative · 2025–2026
- KPA2024003FModeling pathological Tau propagation in human brain cells in vivoBrightFocus Foundation · 2024–2026
- PIRCF 250950-01Methods to optimize the human cGAS inhibitor leadsRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2025–2026
- PIRCF 251050-01Decoding the molecular mechanisms underlying the copathologies in PSPRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2025–2026
- Sub-PIR41AG085770-01Acetylated Tau Immunotherapy for Alzheimer's DiseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2024–2026 · via Aeton Therapeutics Inc.
- PIHDIT 235842-01Evaluation of a novel human cGAS inhibitor using human iPSC derived modelsHarrington Discovery Institute, The · 2024–2026
- PICGLFF 242405-02Dissecting immune resilience mechanism in human neuron-microglia chimera modelCarol and Gene Ludwig Family Foundation · 2024–2026No publications yet
- PIBP 255354-01Biopharma Agreement with NeuroVanda TherapeuticsNeurovanda Therapeutics Pte. LTD · 2025–2026BioPharma Alliance
- Co-IF32AG085960-01Elucidating the Cell-Type Specific Neuroprotective Mechanisms in the APOE3 Christchurch Mutation in Alzheimer's DiseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2023–2026Fellowship
- PIR01AG072758-05Maladaptive Antiviral Pathways In Alzheimer'S DiseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2021–2026
Completed grants (36)
- Sub-PISVCF 245449-01CZI DAFChan Zuckerberg Initiative · 2024–2025 · via Silicon Valley Community Foundation
- PIRCF 241018-01Methods to optimize the benzofuran and benzothiophene human cGAS inhibitor leadsRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2024–2025
- PIRCF 241019-01Model human neuron-microglia interactions in chimera model of PSP and other 4R tauopathiesRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2024–2025
- KPK99AG078493-01A1Investigating the role of cGAS signaling and microglial senscence in tauopathyNational Institute on Aging · 2023–2025
- KPR01AG064239-01A1Essential roles of DAP12 in tau metabolism and inflammation in Alzheimer's diseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2020–2025
- Sub-PIR43AG080954-01Optimize virtual hits of human CGAS inhibitor to treat neurodegenerationNational Institute on Aging · 2023–2025 · via Aeton Therapeutics Inc.
- PIJPB 2021-2957Targeting maladaptive innate immune response to treat PDJPB Foundation, The · 2021–2024
- PIRCF 230888-01Rainwater Drug Discovery GrantRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2023–2024
- PIRCF 230889-01Model and identify genetic modifiers of PSP 4R tauopathies in human neuronsRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2023–2024
- KPF31AG079560-01Trem2-APOE Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease: Exploring the differential effects of R47H on the APOE3 and APOE4 backgrounds in a tauopathy modelNational Institute on Aging · 2022–2024
- Sub-PIR01DA049525-02Exploring HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) and HIV Latency at the Single Cell Level in Cerebral OrganoidsNational Institute on Drug Abuse · 2020–2024 · via The J. David Gladstone Institutes
- PICAF 213682-03Human cGAS small molecule inhibitorsCure Alzheimer’s Fund · 2021–2024
- PIBP 214753-01Development of cGAS Inhibitors to Treat Neurodegenerative DiseasesDaedalus Fund for Innovation (Weill Cornell) · 2021–2024BioPharma Alliance
- Co-IR56AG078970-01The Role of Transposable Elements in Healthy Aging and in Alzheimer's DiseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2022–2024
- PIRCF 223643-01RainwaterRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2022–2024
- PIBFF 211109-02Sadaf Amin's BrightFocus Fellowship, "The Role of cGAS-STING Signaling in Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's Disease"BrightFocus Foundation · 2020–2023
- PIRCF 228257-01RainwaterRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2022–2023
- PIAddgene 703132Addgene 703132Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
- PIAddgene 698729Addgene 698729Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
- PIAddgene 697783Addgene 697783Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
- PIAddgene 696309Addgene 696309Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
- Sub-PIR56AG079291-01Study of Selective Cell and System Vulnerability in Alzheimer's DiseaseNational Institute on Aging · 2022–2023 · via University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- PIU54NS100717-03Linking tau proteostasis with neuronal activity in FTDNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2018–2023
- PIRCF 221502-01Development of best-of-class Inhibitors of cGAS to treat tauopathyRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2021–2022
- Sub-PIR01AG057497-05Functional Characterization of Alzheimer's Disease Associated Genetic VariantsNational Institute on Aging · 2019–2022 · via University of California, San Francisco
- PIJPB 194610-02Targeting maladaptive innate immune response to treat PDJPB Foundation, The · 2019–2021
- KPF31AG072854-01Elucidating The Microglial Mechanisms Underlying Sex-Specific Neuroinflammation In Alzheimer'S Disease.National Institute on Aging · 2021–2021Fellowship
- PIRCF 203805-01Targeting microglial-mediated toxicity to treat tauopathiesRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2020–2021
- PIRCF 193898-01Project 1: Targeting microglial-mediated toxicity treat tauopathyRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2019–2020
- PIR01AG051390-05Molecular mechanisms in progranulin deficient frontotemporal dementiaNational Institute on Aging · 2019–2020
- PIRCF 190078-01Tau ConsortiumRainwater Charitable Foundation · 2018–2019
- PIR21AG046526-02Screening for inhibitors of p300-mediated tau acetylation for Alzheimer's DiseaseNIA · 2014–2017 · via NIH RePORTER
- PIR01AG036884-05SIRT1 Limits Microglial Toxicity in Alzheimer's DiseaseNIA · 2012–2017 · via NIH RePORTER
- PIR01AG030207-05The Role of Cathepsin B and Cystatin C in Alzheimer's DiseaseNIA · 2010–2015 · via NIH RePORTER
- PIR21AG024447-02Cathepsin B and cystatin C in AD-related neuronal damageNIA · 2004–2006 · via NIH RePORTER
Available technologies
- Inhibition of the UFMylation Cascade for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and 4R Tauopathies10763Provisional filedPoC DataPMID 38582079
News mentions
- Protein Secreted by Immune Cells May Help Drive Brain AgingAugust 11, 2026
Brain-resident immune cells that have reached an old-age state called senescence secrete a protein that causes dysfunction in other brain cells, according to a study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Inflammation May Drive Dravet Syndrome, Offering a Potential New Treatment TargetJuly 29, 2026
An overactive immune response in the brain may play a role in Dravet Syndrome, a rare and severe genetic epilepsy that typically begins in infancy, according to Weill Cornell Medicine researchers.
- Research Shifts Toward Shared Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative DiseasesApril 3, 2026
Leaders in the field discussed a shift in research toward looking at shared mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases at the recent 13th annual Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer’s Disease Research Institute Symposium held in the Belfer Research Building at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Alzheimer’s Protective Mutation Works by Taming Inflammation in the BrainJune 23, 2025
A rare gene mutation that delays Alzheimer’s disease does so by damping inflammatory signaling in brain-resident immune cells, according to a preclinical study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Looking Beyond Beta-Amyloid: New Paths in Alzheimer's ResearchJune 3, 2025
At the 12th annual Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer’s Disease Research Institute Symposium, scientists and clinicians shared their latest research which is advancing how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed and treated.
Show 17 more mentions
- Sex Differences in Neuron Protection Reveal Potential Alzheimer's TargetNovember 28, 2024
Inhibiting an immune signaling protein called TLR7 may help preserve the protective layer surrounding nerve fibers in the brain during both Alzheimer’s disease and ordinary aging, suggests a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Alzheimer’s Genetic Risk Factors Spark Inflammation in FemalesSeptember 30, 2024
Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have found that two genetic variants that confer high risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) together trigger a harmful inflammatory response in the brain’s immune cells, particularly in females, in a preclinical model.
- Meet This Year’s Champions of Diversity, Equity and InclusionApril 19, 2024
Weill Cornell Medicine’s Celebration of Diversity, part of the institution’s sixth annual Diversity Week, was held on April 15. The awardees were honored for their commitment to diversity and inclusivity in academic medicine through exemplary contributions in mentorship, research, clinical care, community service and advocacy.
- Human Neuron Model Paves the Way for New Alzheimer’s TherapiesApril 5, 2024
Weill Cornell Medicine scientists have developed an innovative human neuron model that robustly simulates the spread of tau protein aggregates in the brain—a process that drives cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute Symposium Highlights Progress Towards New TreatmentsDecember 1, 2023
The 11th annual Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute Symposium brought together leading scientists and clinicians in the field to present the latest advances in understanding Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.
- Interfering with Antiviral Pathway May Deter Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal DementiaApril 24, 2023
Targeting part of an antiviral pathway triggered by the accumulation of a key pathogen shared in Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia may one day offer a new therapeutic approach to deterring or delaying cognitive decline.
- New Developments in Dementia Research Presented at Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute SymposiumOctober 28, 2022
The 10th annual Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute Symposium brought fascinating reports of progress in understanding Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.
- Reprogramming the Brain’s Cleaning Crew to Mop Up Alzheimer’s DiseaseAugust 12, 2022
The discovery of how to shift damaged brain cells from a diseased state into a healthy one poses a new potential path to treating Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
- Key Signaling Pathway in Immune Cells Could be New Alzheimer’s TargetApril 14, 2022
Inhibiting an important signaling pathway in brain-resident immune cells may calm brain inflammation and thereby slow the disease process in Alzheimer’s and some other neurodegenerative diseases, suggests a study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.
- Mapping Dementia-Linked Protein Interactions Yields Potential New Treatment TargetsJanuary 20, 2022
By mapping all the protein interactions of a dementia-linked protein in the brain called Tau, a team of Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has created a road map for identifying potential new treatment targets for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.
- Targeting the Brain’s Immune Cells May Help Prevent or Treat Alzheimer’s DiseaseNovember 30, 2021
A gene mutation linked to Alzheimer’s disease alters a signaling pathway in certain immune cells of individuals with the disease, according to a new study by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Annual Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute Symposium Highlights Latest Research in DementiaNovember 19, 2021
Some of the latest research discoveries in neurodegenerative disease and their potential therapeutic applications were featured at the ninth annual Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute Symposium, held remotely on Nov. 9.
- Fourth Annual Dean’s Symposium on Entrepreneurship and Academic Drug Development Highlights Innovation EcosystemNovember 13, 2020
Weill Cornell Medicine neuroscientist Dr. Li Gan is driving toward one of the most coveted medical breakthroughs: an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
- New Developments in Dementia Research Presented at Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute SymposiumOctober 26, 2020
Investigators on the forefront of research into neurodegenerative disorders shared some of their latest discoveries and possible implications for treatment at the eighth annual Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute Symposium, held remotely on Oct. 14.
- Brain Immune Cells, Neurodegeneration Differ in Males, FemalesJanuary 30, 2020
Immune cell activity in the brain differs between males and females in ways that may explain why some neurodegenerative diseases affect the sexes differently
- Racing Toward a Cure for Alzheimer’s DiseaseOctober 18, 2019
In the roughly 100 years since Alois Alzheimer first described the devastating neurodegenerative disease that now bears his name, scientists have developed an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the brain.
- Mutant Protein Fails to Modulate Neuronal Activity, Leading to DementiaSeptember 17, 2019
A novel mechanism that regulates activity in the brain, discovered by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators, may help explain the origins of one common type of dementia.
Media highlights
- Senescent Microglia Release Protein That Disrupts Myelin, Riles NeuronsAlzforum · August 20, 2026
Mentoring
- GCGillian CarlingNeuroscience (PhD) · Class of 2024
- NFNessa FoxeNeuroscience (PhD)
- BLBangyan LiuNeuroscience (PhD) · Class of 2024
- CLChloe Lopez-LeeNeuroscience · Class of 2024
- YHYige HuangCell & Developmental Biology (PhD) · Class of 2025
- CPCeleste Parra BravoNeuroscience (PhD) · Class of 2025
- AGAlice GianiPostdoc mentee · 2021–2024
- AAAbulimiti AikedanPhysiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology (PhD)
External relationships
Ownership
Aeton Therapeutics Inc. · LSG Therapeutics, LLC · Neurovanda Therapeutics Pte. LTD · Theseus Therapies INC
Advisory/Scientific Board Member
Arvinas, Inc. · Neurovanda Therapeutics Pte. LTD
Proprietary Interest
Aeton Therapeutics Inc.
Other
Aeton Therapeutics Inc. · LSG Therapeutics, LLC · Theseus Therapies INC