What We are Interested

Exploring Brain Secrets in Xenopus

Four interconnected research programs exploring neural circuit construction, balance, plasticity, and vulnerability in the developing brain.

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Research Focus

What We
Investigate

Our lab pursues two major research directions: understanding how neural progenitor cells proliferate and differentiate to build functional circuits, and uncovering how excitation–inhibition balance shapes circuit function and underlies neurological disease. We complement these with studies on sensory-experience-driven plasticity and environmental neurotoxicity.

01 /

Neural Progenitor Proliferation & Differentiation

Radial glial cells, HDAC-mediated epigenetic regulation, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and the assembly of newborn neurons into functional circuits.

Radial GliaHDAC1/3Wnt/β-catenin
02 /

Excitation–Inhibition Balance & Disease

How E/I equilibrium governs circuit function and behavior; disruption mechanisms linking to autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.

E/I BalanceGABAergicAutism
03 /

Experience-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity

Visual activity drives epigenetic changes and AMPAR trafficking; homeostatic scaling mechanisms that keep circuits stable during development.

PlasticityAMPA ReceptorsEpigenetics
04 /

Neurotoxicity & Neuroprotection

Para-xylene toxicity mechanisms; D-Glucuronolactone and oxidative stress; Xenopus as a translational toxicological screening platform.

ToxicologyOxidative StressNeuroprotection
Selected Output

Recent Publications

2026
Prolonged visual experience accelerates developmental synaptic downscaling via epigenetic regulation and Rab5c mediated AMPA receptor trafficking
Zheng L, Duan X, Huang W, Luo Y, Wu Y et al. · Shen W.*
Commun Biol
2025
Oxidative stress-mediated neurotoxicity of para-xylene and neuroprotection by gluconolactone in Xenopus laevis
Han L, Huang W, Meng L, Duan X et al. · Shen W.*
Environ Pollut
2024
Photocatalytic manipulation of Ca²⁺ signaling for regulating cellular and animal behaviors via MOF-enabled H₂O₂ generation
Zhang Z#, Luo Y# et al. · Shen W.H.*
Sci Adv
2022
Cell landscape of larval and adult Xenopus laevis at single-cell resolution
Liao Y, Ma L et al. · Shen W.H.*, Guo G*, Han X*
Nat Commun
2018
Cell-autonomous regulation of structural and functional plasticity in inhibitory neurons by excitatory synaptic inputs
He H.Y., Shen W.H.*, Zheng L., Guo X., Cline H.T.*
Nat Commun
View all publications →
Model System

Why Xenopus?

The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis offers two powerful platforms for neuroscience:

In vivo (tadpole) — An optically transparent brain enables non-invasive imaging and clean electrophysiology, while genetic tools (electroporation, morpholino, CRISPR) allow precise manipulation during circuit development.


In vitro (oocyte) — Large cells ideal for heterologous expression of ion channels and receptors. Enable detailed biophysical analysis (TEVC), rapid pharmacological screening, and structure-function studies in a controlled membrane environment.

Xenopus laevis· Model Organism

Transparent tadpole

tadpoles

Optic tectum

optic tectum

Protein expression in Xenopus oocyte

optic tectum
Lab Updates

Latest News

January 2026

Communications Biology: Long light shapes synaptic homeostasis

Epigenetic regulation and Rab5c-mediated AMPAR trafficking underlie visual experience-driven homeostatic synaptic downscaling.

News report
July 2025

Environmental Pollution: para-xylene induces neurotoxicity and reversed by DGA

New findings characterize oxidative stress pathways and the neuroprotective effects of gluconolactone in developing Xenopus.
April 2024

Science Advances: New tool of MOF controls light-triggered Ca²⁺ dynamics

A photocatalytic MOF-based approach enables precise manipulation of intracellular calcium and animal behavior.