Gergely “Gergo” Turi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

School: Medical School
Department: UTSW Odl Brain Inst

Biography

Gergely obtained his diploma in Biology at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, where he studied biology and neurobiology under the supervision of Professors Géza Zboray and Miklós Sass.

During his Ph.D. training, Gergely worked with Prof. Zsolt Liposits at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, focusing on neuroendocrinology and neuroanatomy. He then joined Dr. Balázs Rózsa’s laboratory as a junior postdoctoral fellow, receiving training in hippocampal slice physiology and single-cell calcium recordings. During this period, Gergely also contributed to the development of 3D two-photon imaging applications in collaboration with Femtonics.

In 2010, Gergely moved to the United States to begin a postdoctoral fellowship with Prof. Attila Losonczy at Columbia University. There, he investigated the role of hippocampal interneurons in regulating dendritic integration, CA1 circuit functions, and spatial navigation. He conducted single-cell electrophysiological experiments combined with one- and two-color glutamate uncaging, and later developed in vivo two-photon imaging techniques to study how hippocampal neurons encode spatial information.

In 2016, Gergely joined Prof. René Hen’s division at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia Psychiatry, where he developed a research program focused on memory functions in neuropsychiatric disorders such as PTSD. During this time, Gergely led the institute’s Preclinical Imaging Core and examined the role of serotonin in sleep–wake regulation and hippocampal function, as well as the effects of psychedelic compounds on the stress axis.

In 2025, Gergely reunited with Prof. Attila Losonczy at UT Southwestern, where he now serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the newly established Program in Memory Longevity. His laboratory is building a cutting-edge research program and facility to investigate the molecular and synaptic mechanisms of memory formation and consolidation, and to explore how memory functions can be enhanced in aging or restored in aging-related dementias.

Publications

Featured Publications

Serotonin modulates infraslow oscillation in the dentate gyrus during Non-REM sleep.: Turi GF, Teng S, Chen X, Lim EC, Dias C, Hu R, Wang R, Zhen F, Peng Y, bioRxiv 2025 Jan
Novel, small molecules targeting the 5-HT ₄ receptor protect against stress-induced maladaptive behavior with efficacy across age.: Ravenelle R, Deng SX, Nelson M, Pedersen MH, Mendez-David I, David DJ, Luna VM, Turi G, Abramson M, Javitch JA, Landry DW, Chen BK, Denny CA, bioRxiv 2025 Oct
Mu Opioid Receptor Activation is Required for NMDA Receptor Antagonist Effects on Stress-induced Maladaptive Behavior.: Langreck CB, Chen B, Luna VM, Nelson M, Turi G, Hill R, Rubinstenn G, Canals M, Lane JR, Denny CA, Javitch JA, Biol Psychiatry 2025 Jul
Antidepressants reactivate developmental plasticity through remodeling of extracellular matrix.: Nguyen PT, Sun E, Shi Y, Tamura S, Xiao Y, Lacefield C, Turi GF, Hen R, bioRxiv 2025 Jun
Expression of GCaMP6s in the dentate gyrus induces tonic-clonic seizures.: Teng S, Wang W, Wen JJJ, Wang J, Turi GF, Peng Y, Sci Rep 2024 Apr 14 1 8104
An Open-Source Virtual Reality System for the Measurement of Spatial Learning in Head-Restrained Mice.: Lacefield C, Cai H, Ho H, Dias C, Chung H, Hen R, Turi GF, J Vis Exp 2023 Mar 193
Parallel processing of sensory cue and spatial information in the dentate gyrus.: Tuncdemir SN, Grosmark AD, Turi GF, Shank A, Bowler JC, Ordek G, Losonczy A, Hen R, Lacefield CO, Cell Rep 2022 Jan 38 3 110257
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-Expressing Interneurons in the Hippocampus Support Goal-Oriented Spatial Learning.: Turi GF, Li WK, Chavlis S, Pandi I, O'Hare J, Priestley JB, Grosmark AD, Liao Z, Ladow M, Zhang JF, Zemelman BV, Poirazi P, Losonczy A, Neuron 2019 Mar 101 6 1150-1165.e8
Functional Access to Neuron Subclasses in Rodent and Primate Forebrain.: Mehta P, Kreeger L, Wylie DC, Pattadkal JJ, Lusignan T, Davis MJ, Turi GF, Li WK, Whitmire MP, Chen Y, Kajs BL, Seidemann E, Priebe NJ, Losonczy A, Zemelman BV, Cell Rep 2019 Mar 26 10 2818-2832.e8
High efficiency two-photon uncaging coupled by the correction of spontaneous hydrolysis.: Pálfi D, Chiovini B, Szalay G, Kaszás A, Turi GF, Katona G, Ábrányi-Balogh P, Szori M, Potor A, Frigyesi O, Lukácsné Haveland C, Szadai Z, Madarász M, Vasanits-Zsigrai A, Molnár-Perl I, Viskolcz B, Csizmadia IG, Mucsi Z, Rózsa B, Org Biomol Chem 2018 Mar 16 11 1958-1970