Disease Focus: Developmental Disorders
The CuRe Trial: Cellular Therapy for In Utero Myelomeningocele Repair and The CuRe Trial: Cellular Therapy for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele
UC Davis is conducting a clinical trial for in utero repair of myelomeningocele (MMC), the most severe form of spina bifida. MMC is a birth defect that occurs due to incomplete closure of the developing spinal cord, resulting in neurological damage to the exposed cord. This damage leads to lifelong lower body paralysis, and bladder and […]
Modeling of GATAD2B-associated neurodevelopmental disorder and NuRDopathies: Investigation of cellular & molecular anomalies altering neurodevelopment
Research Objective Human and animal models of NuRD-deficiency will identify NuRD-subtype function in context of neurogenesis. Multi-omic studies will identify/quantify molecular and cellular changes in NuRD-deficiency. Impact NuRD-deficiency causes several neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), our work will identify and quantify cellular and molecular changes in human and mouse models of corticogenesis with NuRD deficiency. Major Proposed […]
Modeling and understanding alveolar hypoplasia in Down syndrome using iPSCs-derived alveolar type II cells
Research Objective Understanding alveolar progenitor cell defects in T21 and the genes/pathways associated with them will allow for developing therapeutic approaches for individuals with DS. Impact Although trisomy 21 affects multiple organ system, respiratory complications are the major cause of death in kids and adults with DS. The causes of lung disease in DS remain […]
Defining the source of dysfunction in monogenic Intellectual Disability Syndrome neurons
Research Objective This study will use pluripotent stem cells derived from patients to determine why Intellectual Disabilities caused by mutations in chromatin regulatory proteins leads to neuronal defects. Impact Our study of intellectual disability syndromes will determine links between mutations and neuronal dysfunction Major Proposed Activities Our study of intellectual disability syndromes will determine links […]
Functional genomics to study cellular convergence across ASD risk genes in neurodevelopment
Research Objective Our objective is to enable scalable genetic screening to study how neurogenesis is impacted by risk genes implicated in human psychiatric disorders. Impact We will develop and apply state-of-the-art genomic analysis to seek mechanisms and disease modifying solutions. Major Proposed Activities Identifying and validating efficient gRNA for gene editing Identify risk gene effects […]
2016 Gordon Research Conference on Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration
The CuRe Trial: Cellular Therapy for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele
Therapeutic Candidate or Device Allogeneic Placenta-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded on Cook Biodesign® Dural Graft Extracellular Matrix (PMSC-ECM) Indication Myelomeningocele (MMC) -or Spina Bifida -diagnosed prenatally Therapeutic Mechanism Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) act by a paracrine mechanism, secreting a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles. This secretory profile is unique to PMSCs […]
Pre-Clinical To Clinical Gene Therapy Development For CMT4J
Therapeutic Candidate or Device AAV9 Gene Therapy For An Ultra-Rare Disease Called CMT4J Indication CMT4J or the FIG4 Gene Therapeutic Mechanism Gene Therapy through an Intrathecal One-Time Injection Unmet Medical Need CMT4J is an ultra-rare disorder that presently lacks any available treatment options and represents an underserved orphan population. Project Objective Successful Filing of an […]
Stem Cells Craniofacial Development and Disease
MicroRNAs in Human Stem Cell Differentiation and Mental Disorders
Many mental disorders are closely associated with problems that occur during brain development in early life. For instance, by 2 years of age, autistic children have larger brains than normal kids, likely due to, at least in part, excess production of neurons and support cells, the building blocks of the nervous system. In autistic brains, […]