Niko Guirlinger
Paola Arlotta, Ph.D.
Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
Project Title: Elucidating determinants of the developmental speed of corticogenesis
Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
Project Title: Elucidating determinants of the developmental speed of corticogenesis
Project Summary: The human brain has always intrigued the global community. Unfortunately, the lack of adequate experimental models has hindered our understanding of human brain development. Indeed, animal models are not suitable to study the human specificities of our brain —like complex human neurological disorders— and brain formation largely occurs in utero, which is intractable for obvious ethical reasons. In Arlotta’s lab, we are focusing on the region that differs the most between humans and other animals, the cerebral cortex. It is the outermost layer of the brain, responsible for numerous tasks, including sensory, motor, and higher mental functions like value judgment and sociability. More precisely, I am interested in the developmental speed of corticogenesis. Questions I am asking in the context of my master thesis include: What are the determinants of the pace of formation of the cerebral cortex? Is the control of developmental speed intrinsic (genome) or extrinsic (environmental), or both? In a chimeric environment, i.e., where cells from different species are co-cultured, do cells follow their own species-specific developmental time, or do the cells adapt and influence each other’s developmental clock? To answer these questions, I will be using cortical brain organoids, a powerful model able to recapitulate the cell populations of the developing cerebral cortex. I will generate organoids from different species to understand how is the developmental clock of the cells from different species affected by their own environment and by a commonly shared environment. I hope to bring great knowledge to the (scientific) community through my research. Furthermore, this project can have an impressive translation impact: understanding and controlling the developmental speed of organs holds great promise for regenerative medicine.