Project (Eugenio Fornasiero)
Unraveling the complexity of the human brain in physiology and disease by combining high-throughput imaging and analysis of iPSC-derived neurons
Description:
Brain development and maintenance of the intricate architecture of neuronal and glial cells are essential for enabling neurotransmission, which allows humans to perform complex behavioral tasks and underlies higher cognitive functions such as memory formation and the emergence of consciousness. While significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular pathways that regulate human brain development and homeostasis, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that drive brain cell morphogenesis, synapse formation, and functional integration remains elusive.
This project aims to fill this gap by using state-of-the-art super-resolution microscopy (see PMID: 38552614) to image key neuronal features in parallel (multiplexing), combined with high-throughput optical pooled screens, image analysis and bioinformatics. This approach will allow us to interrogate a wide range of molecular pathways in an unbiased manner. By comparing human iPSC-derived excitatory and inhibitory neurons, we will investigate the differential molecular mechanisms governing synapse formation, neuronal architecture, and functional connectivity.
This project will provide critical insights into the cellular and molecular basis of brain development and function, and potentially identify novel regulatory pathways involved in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Ultimately, this work will contribute to a deeper understanding of the fundamental processes that maintain neural circuitry and cognitive function, laying the groundwork for future therapeutic interventions for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
Homepage Research Group
https://www.fornasierolab.uni-goettingen.de
For more information see for instance:
- Spatial proteomics in neurons at single-protein resolution.
Unterauer EM, Shetab Boushehri S, Jevdokimenko K, Masullo LA, Ganji M, Sograte-Idrissi S, Kowalewski R, Strauss S, Reinhardt SCM, Perovic A, Marr C, Opazo F, Fornasiero EF*, Jungmann R*. (Co-correpondence) Cell. 2024 Mar 28;187(7):1785-1800.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.045.
- Comprehensive transcriptome analysis reveals altered mRNA splicing and post-transcriptional changes in the aged mouse brain.
Kumar NH, Kluever V, Barth E, Krautwurst S, Furlan M, Pelizzola M, Marz M, Fornasiero EF.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Apr 12;52(6):2865-2885. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkae172.
PMID: 38471806
- Advancing cell biology with nanoscale fluorescence imaging: essential practical considerations.
DʼEste E, Lukinavičius G, Lincoln R, Opazo F, Fornasiero EF.
Trends Cell Biol. 2024 Aug;34(8):671-684. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.12.001. Epub 2024 Jan 5.
PMID: 38184400
- The DNA-PAINT palette: a comprehensive performance analysis of fluorescent dyes.
Steen PR, Unterauer EM, Masullo LA, Kwon J, Perovic A, Jevdokimenko K, Opazo F, Fornasiero EF, Jungmann R.
Nat Methods. 2024 Sep;21(9):1755-1762. doi: 10.1038/s41592-024-02374-8. Epub 2024 Aug 7. PMID: 39112798