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The Orthmann-Murphy Laboratory

Studying the role of glial cells in acquired and inherited myelin disorders at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Welcome!

The Orthmann-Murphy Lab Mission: To explore the role of glial cells in acquired and inherited myelin disorders in order to identify novel therapeutic approaches

Interested in supporting our work? You can donate here!

NEWS & Updates

2026

  • Dr. Hannah Loo’s thesis work is now published! She studied cortical microglia and regenerating oligodendrocyte interactions following demyelinating. In short: demyelination induces transiently reactive microglia and depletion of these reactive microglia increase recovering oligodendrocyte number https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/glia.70120
  • Congratulations to Christine for 7 years of managing the OMg (Orthmann-Murphy lab group). We celebrated with a Flyers game (and a 5-2 win) !

2025

  • Pathogenic variants in the CSF1R gene that cause adult-onset leukoencephalopathy axonal spheroids and pigmented glia leads to dysregulation of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in white matter. Thanks to Siling Du and Marco Colonna at Wash U for leading this project and the Global Leukodystrophy Initiative to support a biorepository. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40571738/
  • Learn more about how people are affected by CSF1R-related disorders from the June 2025 Externally Led Patient Focused Drug Development session as part of the Sisters’ Hope Foundation hosted ALSP community day conference here: https://youtu.be/XXYo4kuzYUw?si=AgZ9lsXzfSbJEXe3
  • We are excited to share a novel approach for longitudinal tracking of oligodendrocytes and other brain cells in four dimensional in vivo imaging data – FAST! Thanks to our colleagues in Biostatistics to make this possible – Taki Shinohara and Caleb Bae! https://www.eneuro.org/content/12/2/ENEURO.0025-24.2024

2024

  • Sidney Smith, PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology, has joined the Orthmann-Murphy Lab. Welcome Sidney, we’re so excited to have you!

2023

  • The Orthmann-Murphy lab was awarded an R01 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to study the role of microglia in cortical remyelination. WOO!
  • Dr. Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy and Genetic Counselor Aaron Baldwin from the Penn Neurogenetics Therapy Center were recently featured as part of an important collaboration between Vigil Neurosciences and Sisters Hope Foundation, working together towards new treatment for Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia (or ALSP)! Aaron Baldwin and Jenn Orthmann-Murphy help families and providers navigate the complicated world of genetics, including rare conditions like ALSP. Check out their panel discussion at the most recent United Leukodystrophy Foundation which was held this summer in Chicago!

  • Joseph Gallegos was accepted to participate in the Young Scientist Summit in Clinical Neuroimmunology, hosted by the American Committee for Treatment and Research In Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) ! Woooo!
  • Hannah Loo was awarded a poster prize for her outstanding presentation at the 148th Meeting of the American Neurological Association, here in Philadelphia!

  • The Orthmann-Murphy Lab was awarded a grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to support research on microglial contributions to cortical remyelination!

2022

  • The Orthmann-Murphy Lab was awarded a grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to support research on astrocyte contributions to cortical remyelination!

2020

  • Hannah Loo (NGG) was selected as a recipient of the NSF GRFP. Congratulations, Hannah!