Discovering targets FOR BETTER QUALITY-OF-LIFE TREATMENTS
H udsonAlpha’s newest Faculty opmental diseases. Kodani and his lab work closely with clinicians and patient groups to identify genetic causes of disease in cohorts of patients with similar conditions. Once a potential genetic contributor is identified, the team uses various experimental systems to val- idate its role in neurodevelopment, a complex pro- cess involving intricate interactions between various developmental signaling pathways that regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of neural stem cells. They are particularly interested in the WNT and mTOR signaling pathways, which regulate neural progenitor cell proliferation in the developing brain. Disruptions in these pathways during development Investigator, Andrew Kodani, PhD , aims to use genetics to better understand healthy brain development and what goes wrong in neurodevel-
can lead to brain size and function abnormalities, as seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder and microcephaly. The Kodani lab aims to better understand how genetic changes in neurodevelopmental disorders disrupt these signaling pathways and contribute to brain disease. By targeting these pathways, they hope to develop new therapies that can improve cognitive and social behavioral issues in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Genetic and molecular information opens numerous doors for individuals and their families. It allows them to seek out resources, patient groups, and, most importantly, potential treatment options. The Kodani lab helps patients diagnosed with rare neurodevelopmental disorders by connecting them with appropriate physicians, hospitals running clinical trials, and support groups.
Members of the Kodani lab discussing an experiment. (L to R, Anamika Gupta, Matthew Kneusel, PhD, Lauren Kneeland, and Nafisa Nuzhat, PhD)
HUDSONALPHA INSTITUTE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
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