Heping Cheng

Hypothalamic plasticity for alloparenting in male mice

This study shows that repeated pup exposure converts virgin male mice to a parental state via calcitonin receptor-expressing neurons in the medial preoptic area.

Microglia stabilize sleep homeostasis via adenosine A3 receptor signaling

This study shows microglia regulate sleep homeostasis through adenosine A3 receptor signaling, stabilizing wakefulness and NREM sleep by modulating calcium activity in response to brain state changes.

ROMO1 loss in cholinergic neurons induces mitochondrial ultrastructural damage and ALS-like neuromuscular degeneration

This study shows that loss of ROMO1 in cholinergic neurons causes mitochondrial damage and ALS-like symptoms in mice.

Behavioral hierarchy without a hierarchical brain

This paper shows that hierarchical mouse behavior can emerge from localized cortical dynamics without requiring a hierarchically organized brain.

A versatile miniature two-photon microscope enabling multicolor deep-brain imaging

The paper introduces a miniature two-photon microscope for deep-brain imaging in freely behaving mice, achieving high-resolution imaging of neuronal activity and amyloid plaques.

Connectomic Organization of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

The paper reconstructs multiscale and multimodal communication networks in the suprachiasmatic nucleus using electron microscopy, revealing unique synaptic and electrotonic structures.

Imaging Microglia Surveillance during Sleep-wake Cycles in Freely Behaving Mice

This study uses in vivo imaging to show microglia surveillance is coupled to sleep-wake cycles and stress, with norepinephrine signaling playing a key role.

Functional network topography of the medial entorhinal cortex

The paper examines the spatial organization of neuron types in the medial entorhinal cortex and adjacent parasubiculum using two-photon microscopy, finding that grid cells cluster separately from other spatial cell types.

Light-Sheet Fluorescence Imaging Charts the Gastrula Origin of Vascular Endothelial Cells in Early Zebrafish Embryos

This study uses light-sheet imaging to map the origin of vascular endothelial cells in zebrafish gastrulae, revealing contributions from different regions along developmental axes.

An optimized acetylcholine sensor for monitoring in vivo cholinergic activity

The paper develops an optimized GRABACh sensor to measure in vivo cholinergic activity in Drosophila and mice, revealing compartmental ACh signals and single-trial dynamics.

NDUFAB1 Protects Heart by Coordinating Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex and Supercomplex Assembly

This study shows NDUFAB1 enhances mitochondrial energy metabolism and protects the heart by coordinating respiratory complex and supercomplex assembly, preventing heart failure and ischemia-reperfusion injury.