Dr. Min-Der Perng earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee, UK, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Durham under Prof. Roy Quinlan. In 2008, he joined National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, as an Assistant Professor and is now part of the School of Medicine, where he leads a lab focused on astrocyte dysfunction in neurological diseases. Dr. Perng’s research explores how mutations in intermediate filament proteins, particularly glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), affect astrocyte biology and their role in brain function and disease. His work focuses on Alexander disease, a rare genetic disorder caused by GFAP mutations, characterized by reactive astrogliosis, GFAP upregulation, and Rosenthal fiber accumulation. Using this disease as a model, Dr. Perng investigates how GFAP-containing glial filaments influence astrocyte function and how their dysfunction contributes to neurological disorders. The ultimate goal of Dr. Perng’s research is to develop therapies to restore astrocyte function. Key areas of focus include: 1. How GFAP and glial filaments regulate astrocyte biology and pathology. 2. The role of astrocytes in brain function and disease. 3. GFAP’s potential as a biomarker for Alexander disease. Through his work, Dr. Perng aims to uncover critical insights into astrocyte biology and identify new therapeutic strategies for treating astrocyte-related disorders.