Team McDonough

Parkinson’s is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with both inherited and sporadic forms. Recent research has identified many new genes linked to the disease, but scientists lack good experimental models they can use for deeper investigations. To bridge this gap, we will generate and deeply validate human stem-cell-based models with specific gene edits for each new target. Researchers will then be able to study the impact of gene mutations on key characteristics of the brain cell types most affected by Parkinson’s. All cell models, data, and methods will be made widely available to accelerate mechanistic discovery and therapeutics development.