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How can patient-derived brain organoids help researchers better understand rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders? And how can electrophysiological measurements provide insight into disease-associated changes in neural function?
In the latest installment of The SomaFocus Series, Diagnostic Biochips welcomed Dr. Kyle Fink of the University of California, Davis, for a discussion on patient-derived brain organoid models, electrophysiology, and emerging therapeutic approaches.
Missed the live webinar? Watch the full recording here!
Investigating disease biology with patient-derived brain organoids
Patient-derived brain organoids offer researchers a human-relevant model for investigating the biological mechanisms underlying neurological disorders. By studying neural tissue derived from individuals with specific genetic conditions, researchers can explore disease-associated phenotypes and investigate how changes in neural development and function may contribute to disease.
During the webinar, Dr. Fink discussed the role of patient-derived organoid models in advancing our understanding of rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders.
Looking beyond structure with electrophysiology
Understanding a disease model requires more than characterizing its structure or molecular profile. Electrophysiological measurements provide complementary information about the physiological function of neural networks.
Silicon probe-based depth recordings allow researchers to measure neural activity from within intact 3D neural tissue. These recordings can reveal complex oscillations, network activity, and disease-specific electrophysiological phenotypes that may provide additional insight into the behavior of neural systems.
The webinar explores how these functional readouts can contribute to the characterization of brain organoid models and support investigations into disease-associated neural dysfunction.
Exploring new therapeutic approaches
The discussion also highlights emerging therapeutic strategies that leverage gene regulation and epigenetic editing.
By targeting mechanisms that influence gene expression, these approaches offer opportunities to investigate whether disease-associated phenotypes can be reversed or corrected. Combining these therapeutic strategies with relevant disease models and functional measurements may help researchers better understand treatment effects and their impact on neural activity.
Watch the webinar on demand
From patient-derived disease modeling to electrophysiological characterization and emerging therapeutic approaches, this webinar explores how complementary research methods can advance the study of rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders.
Watch the full webinar featuring Dr. Kyle Fink of UC Davis.
To learn more about SomaFocus, Diagnostic Biochips' automated electrophysiology platform for functional depth recording inside intact brain organoids and other 3D neural cultures, visit diagnosticbiochips.com.