Neurological Diseases, Disorders & Injuries

Diseases and disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the nervous system have substantial and often devastating consequences for hundreds of millions of people around the world. Yet treatment options for the majority of these conditions are limited or non-existent. Our members are leveraging a range of tools including mini brain organoid 3D tissue grown from stem cells to replicate aspects of the structure and function of an organ. By modeling how multiple types of cells interact in biologically-relevant structures, these models help researchers understand how human organs develop, age and respond to disease in more detail than 2D cultures. organoid 3D tissue grown from stem cells to replicate aspects of the structure and function of an organ. By modeling how multiple types of cells interact in biologically-relevant structures, these models help researchers understand how human organs develop, age and respond to disease in more detail than 2D cultures. models and bioinformatics Combines biology and computational science. It involves analyzing biological data using computational tools, such as algorithms and databases. Bioinformatics helps researchers sift through large amounts of data to understand biological processes, and study genes, proteins and genomes. bioinformatics Combines biology and computational science. It involves analyzing biological data using computational tools, such as algorithms and databases. Bioinformatics helps researchers sift through large amounts of data to understand biological processes, and study genes, proteins and genomes. to bring us closer to understanding and treating diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to schizophrenia. 

To develop therapies for neurological disorders, researchers need to understand not only how these conditions develop and progress but also how the systems they affect form and function. Progress in this area has long been elusive due the fact that access to human brain tissue is limited and animal models cannot recreate all of the complex features and processes of human brains. By using human stem cells Cells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves. stem cells Cells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves. to grow and study 3D brain organoids, our scientists are gaining critical insights into neurological development and disease as well as devising new, much-needed treatment strategies.

Center members are also investigating the genetic and molecular mechanisms by which the brain, spinal cord and nerves recover from injuries. This work is driving the development of a gel to help repair brain damage caused by stroke and creating a foundation for therapies that restore motor function and sensation in people with spinal cord injuries. 

To learn about our research into neuromuscular conditions including muscular dystrophies, visit the Bone & Muscle Diseases & Injuries research area.