PhD Student Doğaç İpekgil

Doğaç's project aims to answer the question:

What role do star-shaped cells which cover the surface of the brain play in dementia?

Astrocytes are one of the most abundant cell types in the brain and play essential roles in keeping brain cells healthy. Recently, scientists have discovered that astrocytes are much more diverse than previously thought. Different types of astrocytes appear to be specialized in specific regions of the brain and may perform distinct roles depending on where they are located.

Understanding these specialized astrocytes is important because it may help researchers better understand how the healthy brain works and what goes wrong during disease.

Tell us about your project

Our research focuses on a subtype of astrocytes that have recently been identified which is located at the outermost surface of the brain, in a structure called the glia limitans superficialis. The astrocytes in this region appear to be highly specialized. 

They cover the brain’s surface and extend long processes that interact closely with blood vessels located in the meninges, the layers of membrane surrounding the brain. Because of this unique position, these cells may play an important role in communication between the brain, the immune system, and the blood vessels that supply the brain. 

Despite being in such a strategically important area, this astrocyte population and the interface it forms with blood vessels have been rarely studied. This is particularly interesting in the context of dementia, where inflammation and changes in the brain’s environment are thought to play a major role in how the disease progresses. By studying this border region of the brain, we may uncover new mechanisms that contribute to inflammation and the symptoms of dementia.

What does it mean to you to be a part of Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre?

Being part of an Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre represents a unique opportunity to join a network of motivated early-career researchers working alongside leading experts in dementia research.  

It provides an environment to collaborate, exchange ideas, and tackle complex scientific challenges collectively, while receiving structured training and mentorship that will help me develop as an independent researcher.