“Human in vitro 2D and 3D models for understanding brain development and neurological disorders”
Guo-li Ming, MD, PhD
Professor
Depts. of Neuroscience and Psychiatry
University Pennsylvania
Host: Yin Shen, PhD
Abstract: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent a transformative platform for developmental biology and disease modeling. These cells can be directed to differentiate into specific neural cell types in two-dimensional (2D) cultures or self-organize into three-dimensional (3D) organoids that recapitulate aspects of the developing human tissue or organ. I will talk about our ongoing work in developing robust and reproducible protocols for the generation of brain-region-specific neuronal cell types and organoids and our ongoing efforts to apply these hiPSC-derived neural models to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying embryonic brain development. Furthermore, I will talk about our recent work in using patient-derived glioblastoma organoid in modeling the pathogenesis of human brain tumor, offering novel insights into disease mechanisms and providing a platform for therapeutic screening.