Background pattern of a brain with neural connections

Team Kirik

An in vivo Approach to Elucidate the Pathobiology of PD-associated Genes using Human Diseased Neurons

2020-Present

This project will provide new insights into the role specific gene mutations play in the development of disease features in cell types know to be affected in Parkinson’s disease. Stem cells generated from patients with neurological disease, including Parkinson’s disease, provide a tool for us to study and understand mechanisms underlying the disease. One limitation of this approach is that the cells are maintained in culture dishes in the laboratory in an artificial environment that does not closely model that of the disease. This project proposes a unique approach involving the transplantation of the human cells into mice in order to study them in the living brain and thus reveal new insights into disease mechanisms.

Tags
Alpha-synuclein iPSCs (Induced pluripotent stem cells)

Leadership

Deniz Kirik

Deniz Kirik

Lead PI (Core Leadership)

Glenda Halliday

Glenda Halliday

Collaborating PI

Jennifer Johnston

Jennifer Johnston

Co-PI (Core Leadership)

Clare Parish

Clare Parish

Co-PI (Core Leadership)

Lachlan Thompson

Lachlan Thompson

Co-PI (Core Leadership)

Courtney Wright

Courtney Wright

Project Manager

Project Highlights

View All

Generation of human-induced pluripotent-stem-cell-derived cortical neurons for high-throughput imaging of neurite morphology and neuron maturation

A STAR protocol that describes how to differentiate cryopreserved human cortical neuronal progenitors into mature cortical neurons for high-throughput imaging analysis

Contributions

Here is an overview of how this team’s article findings have contributed to the PD field as of June 2025. There are two different categorizations of these contributions – one by impact to the PD community and a second by scientific category.

Impact

Category

Accolades

Members of the team have been recognized for their contributions.

Team Kirik

Network Spotlights

Courtney Wright, Yuhong Fu

Awards

2023 Collaborative Meeting

In the News

Updates will be posted when available.

Our Research Teams

Members of the CRN work diligently to advance our understanding of Parkinson’s disease. Learn more about recent CRN discoveries and achievements.

Explore the Research Community