The Gleichman lab studies astrocytes as gene therapy targets for brain repair after stroke and in vascular dementia, two forms of ischemic brain injury. Astrocytes, one of the most prevalent cell types in the brain, can drive many of the processes needed to promote brain repair after injury. These cells respond dramatically to an ischemic injury, walling off the damaged area and changing their functions in the spared tissue. We use mouse models to study how astrocytes respond to ischemic injury and identify points of

intervention. In order to take advantage of those points of intervention, we are also developing ways to target astrocytic subpopulations with gene therapy.