Author

David Van Vactor

Harvard UniversityORCID 0000-0001-8156-9482Unclaimed ORCID profile · follow to get notified of new preprints

Biology Disciplines

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Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Organism:Drosophila· 4 Approach:experimental assay· 3 Research Focus:cell type annotation· 2 Approach:statistical model· 2 Assay:bulk RNA-seq· 1 Research Focus:differential expression· 1 Research Focus:drug response / drug discovery· 1 Research Focus:gene regulatory network inference· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Pushpa VermaiD· 2 shared Alice Lau· 1 shared Andrea M. Reyes-OrtiziD· 1 shared Corey J. Schulz· 1 shared Edsel M. Abud· 1 shared Emily MiyoshiiD· 1 shared Greg S. B. SuhiD· 1 shared Hansine HeggenessiD· 1 shared

Activity by Year

2021-2026 · peak 2/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 22 mutual co-author links

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2 shared papersNeuroscience

Pushpa VermaORCID

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Author profile →

4 papers

Recent·Most cited

Regulation of miR-219 and its target RalGPS dictates acute synaptic plasticity at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction

Kumar Aavula, Hansine Heggeness, Takakazu Yokokura, Spyros Artavanis‐Tsakonas, David Van Vactor

The paper identifies miR-219 and RalGPS as regulators of acute synaptic plasticity at Drosophila neuromuscular junctions through miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional control.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Oct 27, 2026Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

A brain-specific microRNA, miR-1000, regulates lipid homeostasis via Neuropeptide-like precursor 1 in Drosophila melanogaster

Pushpa Verma, Pruthvi Gowda, Nika N. Danial, David Van Vactor

This study identifies miR-1000 as a brain-specific microRNA that regulates lipid homeostasis in Drosophila by controlling Nplp1 expression, affecting fat storage and lifespan.

Genes & Development · Apr 1, 2026Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Integrated transcriptome analysis of Huntingtons disease iPSC-derived and mouse astrocytes implicates dysregulated synaptogenesis, actin, and astrocyte maturation

Andrea M. Reyes-Ortiz, Edsel M. Abud, Mara S. Burns, Jie Wu, Sarah J. Hernandez, Nicolette R. Geller, Keona Q. Wang, Corey J. Schulz, Ricardo Miramontes, Alice Lau, Neethu Michael, Emily Miyoshi, Mathew M. Blurton-Jones, David Van Vactor, John C. Reidling, , Leslie Michels Thompson

This study compares HD astrocytes from human iPSCs and mouse models, identifying dysregulated synaptogenesis, actin signaling, and maturation, with unique human findings and potential therapeutic targets.

bioRxiv · Jul 28, 2022 · PreprintNeuroscience

Control of feeding by Piezo-mediated gut mechanosensation in Drosophila

Soohong Min, Yangkyun Oh, Pushpa Verma, Samuel C. Whitehead, Nilay Yapici, David Van Vactor, Greg S. B. Suh, Stephen D. Liberles

This study identifies Drosophila Piezo as a mechanosensory receptor that controls meal size by detecting gut distension, with Piezo neuron activation reducing appetite and knockout increasing food intake.

eLife · Feb 18, 2021Peer-reviewedNeuroscience