Modeling Molecular Aspects of Neurodevelopment and Disease with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Dear Colleagues,

Degenerative and developmental disorders of the nervous system are complex in their etiologies. Moreover, many aspects of the development and structure of the human brain and spinal cord cannot be readily recapitulated in animal models. As such, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a unique window into the human nervous system and enable the interrogation of human-specific mechanistic processes involved in early development and disease pathology.

This Special Issue seeks original research reports that focus on using hPSCs to evaluate the role of gene mutations and/or gene misregulation in downstream mechanisms that are critical to healthy neurodevelopment and the associated pathways that contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Reports utilizing gene editing and/or gene manipulation techniques as well as three-dimensional organoid systems are encouraged. Review article contributions highlighting the state of the field are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Allison Ebert
Prof. Dr. Jason S. Meyer
Prof. Dr. Anita Bhattacharyya
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• Pluripotent stem cells
• Neurodegeneration
• Neurodevelopment
• Autism
• Fragile X
• Down syndrome
• Parkinson’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Huntington’s disease
• Retinal degeneration
• Motor neurons
• Astrocytes
• Gene editing
• Developmental disorders or neurodevelopmental disorders
• Cortical development