Credit: Mukund Hari

We explore neuronal fate establishment and neuronal differentiation in induced pluripotent stem cells and brain organoids in the neurodevelopmental disorders, Williams Syndrome and cri du chat (-5p).  To promote discovery in this area we use state-of-the art techniques including 3D cell culturing and neuronal vascular systems. High-throughput data of cellular identity is analyzed by fluorescent confocal microscopy, multi-electrode array electrophysiological analysis, calcium imaging by two photon, and single-cell RNA sequencing.

Affiliated Researchers

Kenneth S. Kosik

Principal Investigator
Exploration of fundamental biological processes, particularly those related to the brain and its evolution.
Stem Cells and Neurodevelopment
Cellular Neurobiology and Pathobiology
Genomics
Neurophysiology

Mookwang Kwon

Postdoctoral Researcher
Studies how the human brain develops and what goes wrong in certain disorders by growing cerebral organoids from stem cells.

Carolina Maciel Camargo

Postdoctoral Researcher
Discovery of brain penetrant farnesyltransferase inhibitors for the treatment of tauopathies.
Stem Cells and Neurodevelopment
Cellular Neurobiology and Pathobiology

Marcus Merk

Postdoctoral Researcher
Research

InYoung Hwang

Graduate Student Researcher
Investigating neurodevelopment in 7q11.23 CNV syndromes (Williams syndrome and 7q11.23 duplication) by comparing cortical circuitry and histological patterning.
Stem Cells and Neurodevelopment
Cellular Neurobiology and Pathobiology
Neurophysiology

Collaborators

  • Ikuka Smith (UCSB)
  • Sebastian J Streichan (UCSB)