The human brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear fluid that fills the space within the skull. This fluid is not static—new CSF is continuously produced and must be drained from the skull every day to maintain proper brain function.
Historically, scientists believed that CSF drainage occurred exclusively through small finger-like projections called arachnoid villi, which extend from the membrane surrounding the brain. However, recent groundbreaking discoveries have revealed that lymphatic vessels in the brain's surrounding membranes also play a crucial role in draining CSF from the skull. This finding has fundamentally challenged our traditional understanding of brain fluid dynamics.
Building on our principal investigator's pioneering work on CSF drainage pathways (Nature 2024, Nature 2025), our laboratory investigates how CSF drainage impacts brain cells and their functions. We aim to uncover the mechanisms through which disrupted CSF clearance contributes to neurological diseases.
Through this research, we strive to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating and preventing brain disorders that currently lack effective solutions.