Alexander disease is a rare and progressive neurological disorder that affects children. Patients can have severe, but different, clinical symptoms. A deeper understanding of how the disease progresses is necessary for effective treatments of all patients. We aim to study how Alexander disease affects the developing brain, in a patient-specific manner, to bring us closer to the implementation of more accurate therapies.
reNEW research
We utilize induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from Alexander disease patients to study patient-specific disease biology. 3D brain organoid models can replicate brain and disease complexity, and are therefore essential in discovering disease mechanisms. We generate brain organoid models from patient-derived iPSCs to study how Alexander disease affects brain development, and how this differs between patients.
Image description
Glial cells, that are affected in Alexander disease, within a patient iPSC-derived brain organoid grown for 3 months.
Credits
Dr. Kellie Veen, Research Officer, Velasco Lab, reNEW Melbourne.
