Researchers Discover a New Link Between Brain Sugar Levels and Myelin Development – April 2026
New findings in “Nature Neuroscience” uncover a metabolic switch that influences the formation of myelinating cells, offering hope for a wide range of pathologies characterized by myelin impairment during development.
NEW YORK, April 30, 2026 —Researchers at the CUNY ASRC have uncovered a surprising link between low brain sugar levels and the development of myelin — the protective coating that allows nerve cells to communicate rapidly and efficiently. The study, set for publication in Nature Neuroscience, reveals that the glucose-sensing ability of stem-like cells during early development helps them determine whether they should multiply and remain undifferentiated or mature into myelin-forming cells, thereby shaping brain development.
New Study Reveals Simple Peptides Can Mimic Nature’s Protein Protection Strategy – August 2025
Breakthrough from CUNY ASRC Nanoscience researchers could lead to refrigeration-free vaccine storage.
NEW YORK, August 5, 2025 — A new study from researchers at the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center (CUNY ASRC) reveals that extremely simple peptides can mimic a biological process that protects sensitive proteins from environmental stress. The findings, published today in Nature Materials, offer a promising new approach to stabilizing biomolecules like vaccines and therapeutic proteins—potentially without the need for refrigeration.
CUNY ASRC Research Experience Readies Jonas Salk Scholar for Medical School – May 2022
Our imaging specialist, Kelly, has been awarded the prestigious Jonas Salk Scholarship for her interdisciplinary research conducted over the past 4 years at the ASRC. The scholarship is awarded each year to 8 CUNY students who show promise of contributing to meaningful biomedical research as they pursue their graduate or medical school studies.
Scientists design nanoparticles that communicate with cancer cells – October 2021
A multi-institutional research team (a collaboration between ASRC’s nanoscience and neuroscience initiatives) has designed nanoparticles that can communicate with and slow the development of cancer cells. The work has uncovered a novel framework for the potential development of drug-free cancer therapies.
CUNY School of Medicine Receives Interdisciplinary Research Grant – March 2021
Dr. Ye He, as a part of an interdisciplinary research team with the ASRC’s Structural Biology Initiative and CCNY’s Center for Discovery and Innovation, is a recipient of the 2021 CUNY Interdisciplinary Research Grant (IRG) for a proposal focused on COVID-19 detection.
CUNY Undergrads Get a Taste of Interdisciplinary Research Culture at the ASRC – November 2020
Undergraduate research students Yuki Chen and Kelly Veerasammy are given their first chance to be contributing authors to a project done in collaboration with Dr. Yuanquan Song of the University of Pennsylvania. In this article, the students and Dr. Ye He share their thoughts on the experience and the interdisciplinary culture at the ASRC.
Advanced Science Research Center Seed Program Grant Award – December 2019
Dr. Ghada Soliman, a collaborator within the Structural Biology Initiative at the ASRC, is awarded the ASRC Seed program grant. As a part of this interdisciplinary team, Dr. Ye He will work alongside Dr. Soliman and Dr. Rinat Abzalimov on the project aimed to combat type 2 diabetes.
Art Meets Science in Treating MS – March 2018
For the past 15 years, Ye He, manager of the Live Imaging and Bioenergetics Facility and a research assistant professor at the Neuroscience Iniative at The Graduate Center’s Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), has been searching for new ways to treat neurological diseases, mainly multiple sclerosis, a disease she calls “devastating.” A dedicated and well-credentialed scientist, she also sees art as a way to heal and educate.
Liu and He announced as Neuroscience Initiative facility managers – Nov 2016
The Neuroscience Initiative at CUNY Advanced Science Research Center is proud to announce the hiring of Jia Liu, PhD and Ye He, PhD, who will be managing the Epigenetic and Behavioral Facility and the Live Imaging and Bioenergetics Facilities, respectively, which aim to bring cutting-edge technology to the ASRC to serve the greater Neuroscience Community at CUNY.