Skip to main content

Bio

Matthew Eroglu, PhD

2025 Leon Levy Scholar in Neuroscience

Columbia University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Sub-disciplinary Category

Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience

Previous Positions

  • HBSc, University of Toronto
  • PhD, University of Toronto (Dr. W. Brent Derry)

Bio

Dr. Matthew Eroglu obtained his PhD in molecular genetics at the University of Toronto in Canada under the supervision of Dr. Brent Derry. His thesis described how amyloid-like protein aggregates are stably inherited through the germline and influence traits in offspring. He is currently pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship in Dr. Oliver Hobert’s lab at Columbia University.

Research Summary

Studying how nervous system specific nuclear structure supports neural function.

Technical Overview

Nuclear organization varies by cell type. The Hobert lab previously identified nervous system specific nuclear structures while studying the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. These enigmatic nuclear features, biomolecular condensates displayed by all neurons, do not correspond to previously described bodies and are currently the only known cell type specific nuclear structure. Dr. Matthew Eroglu aims to identify the molecular constituents of these bodies and understand their function in neurobiology. In preliminary work, he identified proteins that localize to these bodies, providing clues to their functions. He is now working to understand why these structures are important for the nervous system and what makes neurons unique in exhibiting this distinct nuclear architecture. This neural-specific organization suggests that neurons have specialized metabolic or functional demands, potentially influencing processes from signaling to memory formation. Disruptions of biomolecular condensates are also implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, where aberrant cellular structures impair essential functions. Ultimately, Eroglu’s research aims to reveal how neurons normally determine and maintain structure to support specialized functions.